Man using homelessness experience to help others

Steve Young and Rachel Harris work at Swindon homelessness charity Threshold

"I have a passion for helping people. I get a kick out of people coming out the other side".

When Steve Young, 36, from Swindon, experienced a relationship breakdown, it left him and his nine-year-old daughter homeless for 10 months. They were put in emergency accommodation, often with other families, which he said had been "very daunting" for his daughter.

"I suffered. I had a relapse in my mental health, my job fell through, it was a very bad time," Mr Young said.

But after getting help from social services and finding long term accommodation, he secured a role as a support worker at Swindon charity, Threshold, which has released a short film to raise awareness around homelessness.

"I was over the moon, I couldn't believe the opportunity I was given," Mr Young said about being given the job.

Threshold has been tackling homelessness in Swindon for more than 50 years and helps nearly 100 rough sleepers every night. But homelessness is a growing problem in the town, according to figures collected by Shelter in 2024.

The data showed the number of homeless people in Swindon had increased by 26% in a year, from 784 people in June 2023 to 984 in June 2024.

Figures also showed the number of children who are homeless in the town had gone up from 352 to 469 in the same 12-month period.

Charity Threshold has produced a film to raise awareness about homelessness

Threshold has released a short film with Create Studios, called Jacob's Story, which is based on a person the charity worked with in the past.

It shows how relationship breakdowns can quickly lead to someone becoming homeless, and the impact it can have on mental health.

The film challenges the negative stigmas and misconceptions faced by people living on the streets.

Mr Young said it upsets him that people still hold prejudices against people who are homeless.

"Everyone has their own reason of why they're in that situation. I believe that everyone wants to help themselves in a certain way, but they haven't always been given the opportunities to do so," he added.

Wiltshire actor, Tom McMillan, stars as Jacob in the film. "It's an authentic story and it's something I wanted to tell, to raise awareness for a cause that needs to be talked about more," he said.

Actor Tom McMillan stars as Jacob in the short film

Rachel Harris, Threshold's communications manager, said she felt the film was an important way to bring the harsh realities of homelessness to life.

"It's not about the assumptions you make about people you see on the street, it's about the person behind that and how they have come into that situation.

"Seeing it through a story of somebody who's really been there and their true experiences can have a lot more impact than just showing people the information on a piece of paper."

Mr Young now uses his experiences to help others who are are in similar circumstances.

"If someone is really struggling to get their head around what's going on with them at the time, I can definitely say, 'I've been in your shoes, anyone can change their life if they put their mind to it'."

Swindon Borough Council member Janine Howarth said: "Tackling homelessness is a priority for the council and we work closely with Threshold to achieve this.

"We have a safe reception space for vulnerable residents to make homelessness applications and discuss personal circumstances, a range of accommodation and support services and a specialist Rough Sleeper Housing Options officer."