Mr J had a moment of poor judgment when he climbed through a broke window into an old abandoned building. Looking for a way to warm himself he decided to start a small fire. At first it seemed like a good idea but soon the flames grew bigger and spread quickly. Mr J stood there shocked as the fire roared to life consuming the building around him.

Panic set in as he realized the danger he had created. What started as a simple wish for warmth turned into a serious emergency. Smoke billowed into the sky and soon firefighters arrived to battle the blaze. Mr J learned a hard lesson that day: sometimes the simplest decisions can lead to big problems. It was a day he would never forget reminding him to think before acting.

I met Mr J a couple of weeks ago, as I was walking through the city centre. After buying him something to eat and getting him a hot drink, he told me his story of how he became on the streets of Wakefield.

Mr J has ADHD which makes it hard for him to focus and manage his daily life. After facing trouble in South Kirkby he moved to Wakefield seeking a safer environment. Unfortunately this has added to his struggles. For over a year Mr J has been trying to find a way out of homelessness in Wakefield. He hopes to secure stable housing and improve his situation but the journey so far has been challenging.

I’ve Known Mr S for a number of years.

He is a man who faces many challenges in life. He struggles with addiction which has deeply affected his well-being. In our conversations he has shared his story about how he ended up homeless. His experiences reveal the harsh realities many people face when battling addiction. Understanding his journey helps to highlight the importance of compassion and support for those in similar situations.

He found himself in a frightening situation when drug dealers began delivering drugs to his home. At first he thought they would just come and go but they stayed longer than expected. He felt scared and powerless even when he tried to ask them to leave. Instead of listening they laughed at him making him feel even more trapped in his own home.

The police informed the council about Mr S’s situation which led to his eviction at the end of last year. Mr S had no family or friends to turn to for help leaving him with very few choices. With nowhere else to go he was forced to live on the street. This sudden change in his life created many challenges for him. Being homeless is not just about finding a place to sleep; it also means facing dangers and hardships every day.

When we got off the train in York, I saw a man sitting on the floor with his cup in front of him, so I bought him something to eat. However, he didn’t want to talk. That’s his choice, but he was grateful that I fed him.

Later in the day, I saw another man so I sat and talked to him for a while and gave him something to eat. I was talking to him about Jesus and he told me he was Christian so I gave him a ‘Why Jesus Booklet’; He was very grateful.

Then I met Mr A, his story broke my heart. He in his 30s he lost his partner last year. This loss deeply affected him leading him to say that he “hit the ale. ” Mr A turned to drinking as a way to cope with his pain and loneliness. His struggle reminded me of how important it is to support one another through difficult times.

He shared his experience of visiting the Chapel of Rest while his partner was there. Each visit was difficult and filled him with sadness. This constant sadness affected his mental health deeply.

As a result he found it hard to get out of bed and take care of his young daughter. The weight of his grief made daily life feel overwhelming and challenging.
Mr A’s story was a stark reminder of how quickly life can unravel. He’d lost everything: his partner, his job, his home, and now, most heartbreakingly, his daughter was in care.

He didn’t want me to leave him; he was just so grateful that I sat talking to him. I gave him a Bible, and he kissed it with tears in his eyes. I pray for them all, but talking to Mr A broke me. Everyone else just walked by, ignoring him.