Transforming lives through the Essentials Fund
19 March 2025
Discover how the Essentials Fund made a life-changing difference for Brian, Keith and John.
At Thames Reach, we support people as they move forward from homelessness, helping them find stability and independence. A crucial part of this journey is ensuring they have the essentials that make a house a home. The Essentials Fund provides vital items that aren’t typically covered by other funding—things like kitchen appliances, curtains, and learning materials—that help people regain their confidence and independence. Through the experiences of Brian, Keith, and Mickey, one of our dedicated support workers, we see the real impact this fund has in changing lives.
Brian’s journey to independence
Brian found himself sleeping rough before meeting Mickey, his Thames Reach support worker, who offered him a way forward. “Mickey took me off the street,” Brian says. “Good man, he does what he says he’ll do.”
With Mickey’s support, Brian moved into stable accommodation, a crucial step in rebuilding his life. But settling into a new home isn’t just about having a roof over your head—it’s about having the essentials to make daily life possible. Through the Essentials Fund, Brian received a kettle, microwave, and toaster. “Without a microwave, you can’t cook anything,” he says. “And you can’t have a cup of tea without a kettle. I can make sandwiches, toast, a nice cup of tea… it’s nice to have that privilege.”
Now, Brian is feeling safer and more independent. “I’ve cut down on alcohol. I’m enjoying life better now I’ve got my own place to live,” he says. “There is light at the end of the tunnel. You have to keep going. It’s going to be hard—very hard. But you’ve got to keep going until you reach your goal.”
Keith’s new purpose through photography
After years of homelessness and moving between hostels, Keith finally has a place of his own. But even with a stable home, he felt something was missing. “I was just sitting in my yard doing nothing,” he says. “I thought, I need to do something.”
Photography had always interested him, and with support from Thames Reach and the Essentials Fund, Keith was able to receive a camera and enrol in a photography course. “I’m very keen to start. I think I’d be good at it.”
For Keith, photography is more than a creative outlet—it’s a way to tell a story and build a future. “I want to expose the street for what it really is. This is me. I want to do some sort of docudrama thing,” he explains.
Now, with a new sense of purpose, Keith is looking ahead. “I’m fragile in my life, but I’m trying, man. That’s all I can say,” he says. “Hopefully, I might find myself in a professional capacity, helping someone put their thing out there to encourage others.”
Mickey’s role in supporting people
Mickey, who works in our Hammersmith & Fulham Outreach and Housing First service, has seen the impact of the Essentials Fund firsthand.
“The Essentials Fund provides support for things that are not typically covered [through other funding], like curtains, heaters, or other items that make a house feel more like a home,” he explains. “These items play a key role in helping people feel settled and comfortable as they recover from homelessness and start to rebuild their lives.”
Mickey has used the fund to provide crucial items like curtains for Lisa, who had lived in her flat for years without them. “Lisa’s flat is on the lower ground, and she had no privacy. The curtains made a huge difference. It was really important for her,” he says. The fund also helped her replace an inefficient fan heater with one that was cheaper to run, ensuring she could stay warm through the colder months.
For Mickey, the Essentials Fund is about more than just providing practical support—it’s about restoring dignity and helping people feel truly at home. “It’s about improving people’s lives and giving them a sense of normality,” he says. “It’s not just about getting a bed or a cooker, but making a flat feel like a home.”
How John overcame barriers to access benefits
John* has struggled with mental health challenges for over 20 years, which contributed to his homelessness and difficulties accessing support services. When Jemma, a support worker at one of our South London hostels, began working with him 10 months ago, John was facing significant barriers, including a lack of identification, which prevented him from accessing vital services.
Recognising the impact this had on John’s ability to move forward, Jemma identified that obtaining his birth certificate was a critical first step. Without it, John couldn’t apply for Personal Independence Payments (PIP), a benefit that would provide him with the financial support he needed to improve his situation.
Jemma used funding from the Essentials Fund to cover the cost of obtaining John’s birth certificate. “The Essentials Fund was crucial in helping John get the ID he needed. Without it, he wouldn’t have been able to progress with his PIP application or access other important services”.
Since receiving the birth certificate, John has been able to move forward with his PIP application, which will significantly improve his financial stability. Jemma notes, “It may seem like a small thing, but getting the birth certificate was a huge hurdle for John. It’s allowed him to take control of his life and access the support he needs”.
John has also gained more confidence in managing his personal documentation and understanding the services available to him. While there’s still work to be done, this step has been a pivotal moment in his journey towards greater independence and stability.
The Essentials Fund is vital in helping people like John overcome barriers and access the support they need. Your donation can provide essential resources, giving individuals the chance to move forward and improve their lives.
*Name changed to protect the individual’s privacy
Help more people move forward
Thames Reach is changing lives, helping people like Brian and Keith gain stability, independence, and a renewed sense of purpose. Your donation can provide vital support, helping people move forward and rebuild their lives.
Donate today and help more people get the support they need to leave homelessness behind for good.