By Rob Payne, director of homeless services
Our recent sponsored event, “Two Million Steps for Two Step,” raised over £30,000 — a fantastic result that will help us continue housing people referred to our service by night shelters, day centres and other non-profits.
One of the team who makes this possible is Daniela,
“I help people out of homelessness by understanding what kind of housing they want and helping them access what’s available, so that they can move on with their lives” Daniela explains.
Each person is unique – she meets people face to face, listens to their stories, arranges property viewings, and liaises with landlords to make sure tenancies start smoothly.
But it’s not always easy. “It’s really tough when someone has to leave our office and go back onto the street because there’s no immediate option,” she admits. Moments like these are a stark reminder of the shortage of affordable housing and the difficult choices people face when they have nowhere to stay.
The moments that stay with you
For Daniela, the most rewarding part of her work comes when she hears from people after they’ve moved on and settled into new homes. “It’s encouraging to hear the difference housing has made when I follow up with people,” she says. Housing gives people back their dignity, and they are forever grateful. “Some even tell me they remember me in their prayers — asking God to bless us at HOPE worldwide because without our help they didn’t know what to do.”
Misconceptions about homelessness
Daniela also wants more people to understand that homelessness rarely results from a single bad decision. “Homelessness isn’t usually the person’s fault,” she explains. “If someone loses their job or a relationship breaks down and they can’t afford rent in advance or a deposit, it’s often a slippery slope towards rough sleeping — especially if they don’t have family or friends who can help.”
A story of resilience
She recalls one young man she supported who became homeless after losing his job. With nowhere to stay, he slept in his car while continuing his IT studies. “He was referred to us by a day centre, and after we helped him get housed, he managed to find a job in the NHS and began training in data engineering,” Daniela says. “Having a stable home gave him the space and security to reconnect with his son.”
Later, that same young man joined our Two Million Steps challenge to give something back — teaching his son about the importance of supporting charities like HOPE worldwide. “He’s very grateful that we supported him in his time of need, and now he’s the one giving back to others.”
Daniela believes everyone can make a difference — and it starts with small acts of kindness. “Don’t underestimate the power of a conversation,” she says. “Have a look at the video on our website about how to have a helpful conversation with someone on the street.”
Every step — whether in a sponsored walk, a friendly chat, or a moment of compassion — helps bring people closer to stability, dignity and hope.
