Dad breaks generational cycle of homelessness

Published by Riverside for Riverside in Housing and also in Communities

A former homeless dad is helping others turn their lives around after securing a job with the housing association which helped him get his life back on track.

Danny Coyle, 29, offers support to vulnerable people in his role as Trainee Project Officer at the Shaw Street Project in the Everton area of Liverpool.

Run by Riverside ECHG, the Shaw Street Project is the only homeless scheme in Liverpool where people can move to from a first-stage hostel to prepare themselves for living independently.

Originally from St Albans, Danny moved away to escape his alcoholic father and ended up in Liverpool after meeting the mother of his child. Following the breakdown of his relationship and the loss of his job, he found himself homeless.

He said: “My dad was an alcoholic and I spent years looking after him but for my own well-being I needed to get away. 

“Looking after my dad gave me an insight into what I didn’t want to be. He spent a long time homeless and I didn’t want to go down the same route. I wanted better for me and my son.”

Danny sought refuge at a hostel run by the Sisters Missionary of Mother Teresa, where he began volunteering for homeless charity The Basement Advisory Centre.

He was referred to Riverside and within a few weeks secured a tenancy in the Kensington area of Liverpool through Riverside ECHG Support Living.

Danny continued volunteering but was struggling to keep up with the travelling costs so he was referred to Riverside’s Springboard scheme, which offers tailored, one-to-one support to help people into training and employment.

Rachel Hayes, Riverside’s Springboard Project Officer said: “During meetings with Danny it became obvious he had a wealth of experience in dealing with homeless people as well as excellent communication skills and an enthusiasm to better his circumstances.

“So when I heard about the position at the Shaw Street Project I knew he would be the ideal candidate.”

Danny, who is one of over 1,500 people Springboard has helped since it was launched in 2010, said: “The support from Rachel was fantastic. She helped build my confidence by advising me on interview techniques and conducting a mock interview. On the day of the interview she invited me to meet her for some last minute prep and even drove me to the interview.”  

He added: “I really enjoy my new job and am learning new skills every day. Helping other people who are in a similar situation to the one I was in is very rewarding and I find my first-hand experience is invaluable.

“My experience made me realise there is a thin line and it is very easy to find yourself in a position where you end up in hostels but with the help of organisations like Riverside there is a way out.”