Finding Strength Through Support: Matthew’s journey with P3

From Gloucester, Matthew became homeless following complications with his medical condition. “Thankfully, I was only homeless for a month,” he recalls. “P3 helped me very quickly. I started at Safe Spaces and then came [to Accommodation Based Support].” 

For Matthew, his time with P3 has been a series of crucial stepping stones. After being discharged from Gloucester Hospital, he attended a drop-in session at the P3 Gloucester Hub, where he was referred to Safe Spaces; a temporary accommodation service that takes people directly off the streets and into short-term housing while they get assessed and create a support plan with a dedicated support worker.  

“I met Jayne (P3 Support Worker) at the drop-in, where she helped me get the ball rolling with my homeless application with the council,” Matthew explains. “She was absolutely lovely, and though I had to wait, she was regularly in touch.” 

Building a foundation for recovery 

Matthew describes arriving at Safe Spaces as “a relief.” He says, “It gave me that foundation I needed to stabilise so I could get the support I needed mentally and medically.” 

He adds, “Safe Spaces is very broad and can help people in emergency accommodation with a wide range of issues– [at ABS], I have more time to uncover some things that I have buried a lot.” 

Through his journey from Safe Spaces to Accommodation Based Support (ABS), Matthew has received tailored, person-centred care from the P3 team, from practical help to ongoing mental and physical health support. 

Joined-up support that makes a difference 

Matthew believes that many of the challenges that he’s faced are linked to his medical condition, but despite P3 being a non-clinical service, he says the team’s strong community links and experience meant he never felt unsupported. 

“All the connections here and all the staff’s experience has made it so much easier to get that help,” he says. 

P3’s collaborative approach meant working closely with local health and community partners, ensuring Matthew received the right care at the right time, including referrals to specialist services when needed. An approach that Matthew says was critical to his recovery. 

Steps toward independence 

After meeting all the targets on his support plan, Matthew secured a job offer; something he says wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the team at P3.
“I’m staying here for another short while”, he explains, “but securing such an offer would not have been possible without the support of the staff here.” 

While he’s had to delay starting work due to a flare-up of his medical condition, Matthew remains focused and positive. His mental health has “improved drastically”, he says, and he credits his support team for helping him maintain stability through uncertainty. 

“I will always struggle with [my medical condition],” he says, “but this place has helped keep my mental health afloat and keep my physical health at a level where I continue to go on day on day while waiting for a specialist clinic.” 

“[P3 is] one of those places where you just slot right in. You know the status quo from day one and everyone’s in the same boat despite dealing with a range of different needs”, Matthew shares. 

“The team here are incredible and do an amazing job of balancing so many different types of needs, but still making sure every person receives the support they need. I just think they are a phenomenal bunch and each member is an absolute asset to the [housing] sector. Frankly, a lot of people would have been [in trouble] without them.” 

He smiles, adding simply: “They’re so good at their jobs, it’s to an irreplaceable degree.” 

To get support or find out more, check out our services near you.