Moving tenants into a new home during the countdown to Christmas often feels poignant and emotional. Before Christmas, one of our franchises completed a particularly meaningful move in for one of their tenants.

Before Christmas, Friendship and Support volunteer Claire collected our new tenant Mary and her belongings from a hostel. The pair were hurried rather urgently out of the small parking bay, as the hostel was waiting for a police car and an ambulance to arrive – this Mary said was ‘business as usual’ there.

Mary was first referred to Hope into Action about 18 months ago, and she was nearly moved in at that time. Due to testing positive during a drug screening late on in the assessment process, this did not happen and it was revealed that her situation was not as she had described in her previous meetings with us. Mary had been struggling to leave a coercive and exploitative relationship and was still using drugs regularly.

It was decided that she was not yet ready for the input and support of Hope into Action. Claire encouraged her to reach out again if her circumstances changed, though there was some concern she would not hear from Mary again in the future. In situations like these, saying ‘no’ to a prospective tenant, particularly during a time of vulnerability, is incredible difficult.

Nine months later, Claire met Mary again when she attended the Freedom Programme, a domestic abuse support group. Mary spoke of her goal, to live in a Hope into Action House one day and expressed that she was working hard towards this. Fast forward another nine months, and Mary was referred to Hope into Action again, by her domestic abuse worker. Over the past 18 months, Mary had faced significant challenges and her addiction had worsened.

However God’s timing is always right. Earlier this year, Mary secured a place in a rehab unit, and has worked diligently on her recovery and cutting the ties from her ex-partner.

“I was particularly struck when Mary said she felt born addicted to heroin and her story has involved immense abuse and loss. Mary is herself adopted and has a daughter who is also adopted. Mary believes her daughter will eventually seek her out and wants to be ready and in a good place for that moment.’

‘Currently Mary is doing very well and has a good record of clean drug screens, including two screens during her recent assessment with us.’ Claire, Empowerment Worker.

Breaking the chains of addiction, abuse and other circumstances faced by our tenants can be incredibly challenging, but overcoming those challenges can be the first step in a hopeful and empowering recovery. We continue to pray for and support Mary as she settles in with us at Hope into Action, and works towards rebuilding her future alongside our Franchise team.

Names and locations have been changed for security reasons.