“After all the years I’ve been with HARP, it’s nice to volunteer and give something back" - Nick
Nick was rough sleeping, and struggling to keep a tenancy due to dealing with longstanding addiction issues, stretching back to...
top of page
Are you homeless or at risk of homelessness in Southend? Chat to us now, get help online or call 01702 615000
Stories
At HARP, we believe that with the right combination of shelter, support and educational, confidence boosting activities everyone has a good chance of overcoming homelessness. We help everyone who walks through our doors to address any issues that might surround their homelessness and help them get back on their feet again. Here are just a few stories from some of the people we have helped...
“Without HARP, I would still be on the streets!”- Jess's Story
Jess* had a traumatic childhood. At just 11 years old, she slept rough for the first time. Even at such a young age, it felt safer...
"Without HARP I would’ve been forever homeless" - Terry's story
Terry has been a HARP client for at least the last 15 years, originally seeking help after the breakdown of his marriage caused him to...
"Now I realise what happiness is." - Mark's Story
Mark came to HARP after being homeless for eight years. He was squatting and sofa-surfing to avoid sleeping on the streets and coping...
“I know that everything I do with HARP makes a difference” – HARP Volunteer Maggie’s Story
As we continue to celebrate our joint 20th anniversary with CHESS Homeless in Chelmsford, we caught up with long-serving HARP volunteer...
"Sometimes you just need someone to say ‘I believe in you’" - Jack's story
We caught up with Jack, a 25 year old university student who first came to HARP back in 2019 following an eviction from his landlord. “I...
"Passionate people...the secret to HARP's success" - HARP Trustee Peter shares his story
Peter Thorn has been a trustee at HARP since its inception, and over the years has had a number of roles on the board. “At the moment I’m...
“I didn’t believe that I had a warm home for the first time in so long” - Joinah's story
We caught up with Joinah, who with the help of HARP managed to turned her life around. She became homeless after leaving an unhappy...
"I’m going to keep it up – I have to!" - Tony's story
As we launch our joint 20th anniversary with CHESS Homeless in Chelmsford, today's story focusses on Tony, a long-time HARP client who...
HAPPY VOLUNTEERS WEEK!
This week is Volunteers Week, and to celebrate we've compiled some stories from a few of our volunteers here at HARP. We want to say a...
“Stay positive, and things will get better.” - Christine's Story
Christine met her then-partner in her home town and fell in love. After some thought, Christine decided to move to Southend to start a...
“If I hadn't come to HARP I would be dead.” - Andrew's Story
Andrew was a hard-working and successful businessman. His company turned over more than £1m for 17 consecutive years, employing over 200...
"Now I realise what happiness is." - Mark's Story
Mark came to HARP after being homeless for eight years. He was squatting and sofa-surfing to avoid sleeping on the streets and coping...
"I can finally move on with my life" - Neil's Story
Neil, one of our residents, had a dream - a dream that one day he would not be held back by his dyslexia. Neil moved into HARP...
"I know with the support of HARP I will be fine" - Clive's story
Born and bred in Leigh-on-Sea, 57-year-old Clive lived in a boatshed with no heating or running water before finding HARP. Read his story.
“Without HARP, I’d still be on the streets!”- Jess's Story
Jess slept rough for the first time when she was just 11 years old. At age 25, she again found herself on the streets but then found HARP.
“I didn’t believe that I had a warm home for the first time in so long” - Joinah's story
Joinah became homeless after leaving an unhappy marriage and suffering from severe depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress
“It feels like I’ve been given a ticket to my own life” - Ray's Story
Ray was sleeping in his car when he discovered HARP. Now he is back on his feet and getting involved in the local community.
"I was terrified!" - Jack's story
25-year-old Jack came to HARP after being evicted and struggling with addiction. Jack is now at university and wants to help others.
"HARP saved me" - Mark's Story
Mark now works for our property team but he initially came to HARP when he found himself rough sleeping after losing his job.
"Volunteering is good for me" says Simon
Simon lives in HARP's supported housing provision and started volunteering while he on the waiting list for a local housing association.
"Don't Give Up!" Says Former HARP Resident On World Homeless Day
Having moved out of HARP and into her own council flat, Marie has an important message for others facing homelessness: "Don't give up!"
"HARP grounded me so I could find my footing again"
Lindsey's rollercoaster journey included severe mental illness triggered by a violent sexual assault. She is now woking towards a PhD.
"Coming to HARP is the best thing I ever did"
After escaping abusive relationships and alcohol addiction, Vicky overcame homelessness in our single gender housing, White Heather House.
Lucy's Story
Lucy* had it all – a good job, a lovely home and a man she was madly in love with, but her world came tumbling down when he cheated on her.
Paul's story
Paul was evicted from his home in Spain following the death of his mother. But after coming home to the UK his health deteriorated.
“If I didn’t come to HARP, I’d probably be dead now. If I had been on the streets long term, I would
David worked for 10 years whilst homeless before before a serious lung condition forced him out of work. Then he found HARP.
“I was so negative about Christmas. But, thanks to HARP, I got a nice bed and a lovely meal.”
“I was so negative about Christmas... But, thanks to HARP, I got a nice bed and a lovely meal."
“HARP have been brilliant with me, they’ve really helped me - I cannot fault the place!”
First coming to HARP as a service user 17 years ago, Marie recently decided to come back to volunteer her time by running a support group...
“The staff at HARP make you feel like you’re part of society again."
Jay, a civil engineer, found himself homeless after losing his partner, his home and his job. Jay has got back on his feet with HAP's help.
VIDEO: Matthew's Story
VIDEO: See how Matthew turned his life around with HARP's support.
“I got lucky, they sent me to HARP”
John spent nearly ten years working and living out of a van before coming to HARP. Now, he is making great progress towards a new life.
‘I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for HARP’
After ten months on the streets, Andy came to HARP for help where he has "a new found security" and took part in our meaningful activities.
Robert's Story
After falling out with his mum and staying at a bed & breakfast, Robert found himself on the streets - until he found HARP.
bottom of page