Michael and Rufus’ Stories

Sitting with Michael and Rufus in the garden that connects P3 Charity’s Gloucester Hub with our Accommodation Based Support (ABS) Services, they open up about the support they received here and how it’s helped them. With ABS being a temporary accommodation service, Michael and Rufus were only here a short time, but both said they made strong foundations for their futures.  

Michael has lived in Gloucester his whole life and has spent many years in and out of prison. That’s how we came to be in touch with P3: He was released from prison with nowhere to go. His history of substance misuse and homelessness had marked his life until he received the right support.  

Similarly, dealing with alcohol and substance misuse his entire life, Rufus had years of experience of homeless. After losing his job and becoming homeless full time at the start of year, Rufus turned to P3 for support.  

Accommodation Based Support and Intensive Housing Management: A quick introduction  

What is Accommodation Based Support (ABS)?
Accommodation Based Support (ABS) provides safe, temporary housing alongside tailored support to help people rebuild their independence. The focus is on developing practical life skills, improving wellbeing and finding long-term housing solutions. 

What is Intensive Housing Management (IHM)?
Intensive Housing Management (IHM) covers the day-to-day management of supported accommodation. It includes tasks like maintaining properties, ensuring safety and security, managing tenancies and providing guidance to help residents sustain their homes successfully. 

Our P3 services in Gloucester cover both types of housing support, meaning many of the people we support in ABS often transfer to IHM for longer-term support. 

How ABS and IHM support people in Gloucester 

Rufus highlights that one of the main differences between ABS and IHM is that with IHM, you have “more of your own space. You have your own bedroom, your kitchen-slash-living room. You know, your own area to see if you can handle living on your own.”  

People who move into IHM continue to be supported throughout the entire process, and Michael says, “Though we get assigned a key worker, you really can go to any member of staff here.”  

Rufus talks about how the P3 team helped him secure a hardship fund so he can pay for his food shop while he’s being supported. He’s keen to share how much that’s helped him with budgeting, getting another step closer to independence.  

Michael reflects on what is sometimes a difficult transition from ABS to IHM: “When I first made the move [to IHM], I couldn’t cope with it. I went from having my little room to having all this space. I had a relapse, but that didn’t affect how I was treated. I’m back at ABS with a [more intensive] support plan.” He notes that this move back to ABS wasn’t seen as a failure by the team, but just a part of the long-term journey. 

Both Michael and Rufus were keen to note how important the staff have been to their recovery. They say that one of their highlights of being supported by P3 has been being given the opportunity to join P3 Charity’s feedback and review programme, People Shaping P3.  

People Shaping P3  

Michael’s involvement in the People Shaping P3 programme has helped him develop a range of new skills for his future. The programme gives the people we support an opportunity to develop career skills, as well as voice their opinions on things that affect the frontline of the organisation, like our approach to support plans.  

Micheal says, “I’m nearly 50 now. Life is getting shorter, so I’ve took advantage of everything I’ve been offered. When I came here, I came here with my hands up, so I thought, ‘Why not?’”  

Training provided as part of People Shaping P3 helped Michael focus on his priorities and get hands-on interview experience, which he feels has helped him broaden his horizons for the future. He also feel positive about being able to use his lived experience to feed into how P3 is run, and in turn directly impact the next group of people getting support through Gloucester ABS and other P3 programmes around the country.  

He says he can see the influence past residents had over his support, too: “Being listened to in a way that is [individualised] helped me. We’re not all the same, are we?”  

Rufus agrees, adding: “For me, it’s about people’s voices being heard. I lived in other places where the staff don’t take in your opinion, and with P3, they really do listen and take your thoughts into consideration.” 

Since working with People Shaping P3, Rufus has got a job interview lined up at his local supermarket. He says, “It’s just part time hours, but it will keep me going. I can see a way forward.”  

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