Turning lived experience into lifesaving support
Nuno, 45, had a wealth of experience in hospitality and warehouse logistics and was working at Heathrow airport in 2020 when lockdown hit. With most air traffic suspended, Nuno’s job vanished overnight plunging him into homelessness.
With no work he lost his home and experienced various forms of homelessness: rough sleeping on the streets of Richmond, sofa surfing, living in squats. During this period, Nuno’s dependence on drugs and alcohol increased and he describes it as “a blur,” marked by fear, hopelessness and the daily challenges of survival.
Finding support and hope with SPEAR
During a period of rough sleeping in Richmond, Nuno was approached by Rebecca from SPEAR’s Outreach team. At first, he felt apprehensive, but this outreach marked the start of his engagement with services that would ultimately support his recovery and rebuilding.
Gradually, with SPEAR’s support he secured accommodation and was encouraged to rebuild an independent life. Nuno credits the human, caring approach at SPEAR for helping him feel seen as a person, not just a statistic – a foundation that proved vital to his recovery and growth.
Through peer-to-peer support, Nuno’s lived experience has become his greatest strength. With SPEAR’s support, Nuno accessed support for addiction, and has remained clean for almost five years and developed confidence in his ability to stay in recovery.
The transformative role of volunteering
Volunteering has played a pivotal role in Nuno’s journey. He has volunteered with SPEAR and the NHS supporting people affected by homelessness and substance misuse; advocating for individuals who face barriers accessing care, and working alongside addiction services using his own experience to relate to and support clients.
He describes seeing clients regain self-respect and hope as “hugely rewarding.” By offering both emotional reassurance and practical help, he has enabled others to start their own journeys of recovery and stability.
The impact: growth for himself and others
Volunteering has been transformative for Nuno’s wellbeing, helping to cement his recovery and rebuild his self-esteem. The opportunity to share his story, offer guidance, and witness positive change in others has given him renewed purpose. He has also developed professional skills which have fuelled his aspirations for further work and study in the sector.
For the people Nuno supports, his empathy and practical assistance make an immediate difference. Clients benefit from his understanding of the system and his encouragement to engage with services, take small steps forward, and envision brighter futures. Nuno’s work proves that with the right support and the courage to give back, recovery can be contagious.