Luan’s journey out of homelessness
2 July 2025
See how he rebuilt his life and regained stability with the support from Greenwich Navigators
In 2023, Luan found himself sleeping rough on the streets of London, struggling with addiction and psychosis. “I had nowhere to live,” he recalls. “I was suffering from mental health issues… and then along came Thames Reach. They picked me up and supported me. They’ve been with me ever since.”
Luan is one of many people supported by Thames Reach’s Greenwich Navigators team, a service commissioned by the local authority to support people with a history of rough sleeping or those at risk of becoming street homeless. The service works with people facing a range of complex needs – from substance use and mental ill-health to trauma and physical health challenges – to help them find stability and move forward.
Navigating homelessness and instability
When Luan was first referred to the Greenwich Navigators team, he was placed in shared accommodation – a house in multiple occupation (HMO). Within a month, Thames Reach supported him to move into a temporary one-bedroom flat in Woolwich, where he stayed for about six months.
Then, in late 2024, Luan’s life changed again when he was successfully offered a permanent council flat. “I was bidding and within about three or four bids they offered me a property,” he explains. “They supported me – they helped me with furniture and stuff like that, with curtains and bedding, beds, a cabinet…”
“I really owe Thames Reach a lot of gratitude. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be anywhere.”
Steps towards recovery
Since moving into his new home, Luan has begun a personal journey of recovery and self-care. “I wanted to change. I needed the help, and I finally got the support that I needed,” he says. “It’s helping me to get through day by day.”
He now attends two in-person support groups each week, as well as online recovery sessions. “Since November last year, I haven’t used any drugs or alcohol. I’ve managed to stay clean and sober.”
Although he still lives with anxiety and depression, Luan is taking positive steps. “A lot of time I feel I just want to isolate. I find it hard to be around people… but now I’m just learning to cope and deal with the situation.”
Ongoing support – and hope for the future
Luan continues to receive regular contact from his Thames Reach support worker. “From time to time, they do a welfare check to see how I’m getting on. I feel like it’s very important that I still have that support.”
Looking ahead, Luan wants to use his experience to help others. “I feel for people still sleeping rough, you know? That was me. In the future, I really want to give back in a way – by working with addiction and mental health. I’m working on myself, but I’d like to do things like that to help others.”
“They gave me a new lease of life. I’ve been given another chance – and I’m going to do something about it this time.”
Help someone find their way off the streets
Your support can help more people like Luan find safety, stability, and the chance to recover. Please consider donating to Thames Reach today.