As a small charity, Going to a Good Home often keeps in touch and stays friends with clients we have helped in the past, some even have pitched in and helped us to help others in a similar situation.

During recent follow-ups to several of our previous clients and friends we have had a positive impression of how their lives have progressed recently.

After a turbulent break up with his ex-wife one of our clients found himself in prison. From being a successful owner of a building firm he ultimately ended up leaving prison without if any money in his pocket.

A bed for him self and two single beds for his children to come to visit along with a nice comfy sofa helped him to re-establish home and look for work.

Six months on we are delighted to find that he is back building and has managed to reach establish himself with a good van, set of tools and a contract with a large property developing firm who are giving him full-time work as a self-employed contractor.

Even after his turbulent personal life he now has a calm relationship with his ex wife and the children visit weekly and regularly.

Derek was, several years ago, a high powered business executive who ran a large transport firm. As the years rolled on the high pressure of his job and other stresses urged him to rely more and more on alcohol, ultimately Dereks dependency continued beyond the point that he was able to work and he lost his job and became an alcoholic. After many years of unemployment and alcoholism he found him self with his home repossessed and all his savings exhausted.

After several months of living on the streets he was helped by several local organisations to re-establish home in a small terraced house in Burnley.

Going to a Good Jome was brought in to help him with a sofa and a bed. Several months on Derek has been attending a help group in the town and is looking like he is well on the road to kicking his alcoholism. Sense he has had a home his family as been able to visit more and help and support him and he feels altogether more positive about life. We wish him well and hope in another six months we can meet him for a cup of tea to find he has conquered his challenge.

Charity and community work can be immensely rewarding despite having to put in the graft. Stories like these make our trustees and volunteers feel like it is all worth while.