A fresh start for Mubarak
19 March 2025
Support from Deptford Reach and the Essentials Fund helped Mubarak create a home and take steps towards his future
Mubarak’s journey to London was far from simple. Originally from Freetown, Sierra Leone, he arrived in the UK decades ago as an asylum seeker, escaping the violence of the civil war back home. “I was between the devil and the deep blue sea,” he recalls, describing the desperation of his situation and the uncertainty of his future. Years after his arrival, Mubarak’s life was still marked by instability, with housing difficulties and limited resources compounding his challenges.
When Mubarak connected with Deptford Reach, Thames Reach’s community advice service, he found an essential lifeline. Deptford Reach supports people in Deptford who are affected by homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless, providing personalised help to assist them in recovering and rebuilding their lives. Through this support, Mubarak received help not just with practical resources but with his journey toward stability and independence in the UK.
The Essentials Fund, part of the support offered by Thames Reach, was crucial in helping Mubarak settle into his new flat, allowing him to purchase household items and essentials that made his space feel like home. With help from the fund, he received items like bedsheets, an electric steam iron, a kettle, and a shaving mirror — basics that allowed him to feel secure in his own home. “It made such a difference,” he said. “With all these things, I finally feel comfortable and safe.”
With a stable base, Mubarak has also been able to work towards his longer-term goals, including training for employment in venue security. Through Deptford Reach, he completed his training to work as a steward in major venues like Wembley Stadium. Although he still awaits his new work permit, Mubarak is feeling positive about his future.
Your donation to Thames Reach provides vital help to people like Mubarak, giving them access to the support and practical items they need to create a secure and stable home environment. Click here to donate.