Hardship Fund gives Peter a head start as he makes bungalow his home

A man who was helped to make a new start in life by our Improving Lives Hardship Fund has said he “couldn’t have wished for anything more.”

Peter Holloway, 60, found himself without a home as the Coronavirus pandemic took hold, before finding refuge at our supported accommodation in Sleaford.

After spending almost a year living there and working with colleagues, Peter was able to move into a bungalow in Ruskington, where he says he’s now “looking to the future.”

Colleagues at Sleaford HRS on Eastgate helped Peter get a head start in his new home, using our Hardship Fund to buy him a microwave, bed, sofa bed and storage unit. They also applied to Glasspool Charity and also managed to secure a washing machine and cooker for Peter, who’d previously been living with his brother.

“Where I’d been living, I wasn’t happy there,” Peter said.

I was living with my brother, but things weren’t easy for me. I felt like I was being watched whenever my brother was at work, so I took myself off to Skegness for a few days and stayed in various places.

“When I came back to Sleaford, I decided I wasn’t going back home, so I went to the council and told them the troubles I’d been having.

That’s when I got the place at Eastgate. I couldn’t wish for any more than what everyone did for me. They were so helpful and did everything they could for me.”

Peter said he was “very happy and cheerful” when he found out he had the opportunity of moving into his new bungalow on a council tenancy and “fell in love” with the place when he viewed it.

“I’m so happy and couldn’t wish for anything else,” he added.

The help I’m still getting from Longhurst Group is making a big difference and I couldn’t wish for better people. I’m so grateful for what everyone has done for me.

“I’m looking forward to the future now – I’ve always wanted my own bungalow and I’m thrilled to bits.

“When I found out that this bungalow was going to be mine, the people at Eastgate said they could help me with some things and I was over the moon with what they got me. It helped a lot.

“While I’ve been here, I’ve been painting. I’ve done the ceilings, I’ve done the kitchen, the living room, the hallway and I’ve had carpets put in.

“I’ve basically been doing everything I can and now I’m looking to the future and I’m hoping to get a job.”