With an absent father and a mother suffering from alcohol addiction Timmy (not his real name) fell into the wrong crowd and ended up in trouble.
Homelessness and drug addiction followed prison. Timmy felt forced to beg on the streets rather than claim benefits because he feared people in authority.
A friend on the streets told Timmy about the SVP's Blackfriars Support Centre in Newcastle where he would be able to get a hot meal, and some free advice.
Before long, Timmy was volunteering at the SVP Support Centre, having received help there himself. It came to the SVP's notice that Timmy was actually homeless and they gave him a place to stay at the SVP run hostel. The staff at the Support Centre where Timmy was volunteering provided him with warm clothes, extra bedding and food.
Timmy says: "I've now got a secure roof over my head and it's the first time I've ever lived somewhere with my own room. I've now got my first ever rent receipt and if I keep up a good record of paying my rent and volunteering it will help me to learn the skills I need to live independently so I can get my own home and a job.
"I'm really happy to be living and working at the SVP".