Woman’s Journey from Homelessness to Hostel Safety After Charity Intervention in Suffolk

A woman has shared how her life transformed after connecting with a homeless charity, following a winter spent sleeping in a disused car wash. Jade Burtonshaw, who now resides in a hostel, stated that earlier this year, Bury Drop In, an organization assisting individuals experiencing homelessness in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, reached out to her. The charity currently supports approximately 150 people in the town who are either rough sleeping, staying temporarily with others, or living in their vehicles. Bury Drop In indicated that the issue of homelessness is becoming “worse” and “more complex.” West Suffolk Council recently endorsed its Housing, Homelessness and Reduction in Rough Sleeping Strategy, allocating additional funds to address the underlying causes of homelessness. Ms. Burtonshaw’s life took a drastic turn after her partner died by suicide in May of last year. They had a residence in Ipswich, and his death led to her becoming homeless. She explained that her “previous convictions” and her past work as a sex worker made it challenging to secure housing, prompting her move to Bury St Edmunds where she had family connections. Ms. Burtonshaw slept rough from June 2023 until February this year, describing the previous winter as particularly difficult. She recounted, “I was very cold, very wet, sleeping in a derelict car wash. I was a vulnerable woman still suffering bereavement and I was alone. I was so alone. Upset. Cold, wet, nowhere to live, it was very depressing.” Workers from Bury Drop In observed Ms. Burtonshaw sleeping rough and encouraged her to attend one of their bi-weekly sessions, which offer a hot meal and support. She noted, “I got a sleeping bag and being a woman I got wet wipes, clean underwear and socks. I didn’t have any clothes, so a fresh pair of underwear and wet wipes to clean myself and make me feel a little bit fresher and feminine was great.” She credited the drop-in team and various agencies, including the NHS, Department for Work and Pensions, and housing officers, with helping her secure a place in a hostel. Ms. Burtonshaw expressed her relief, stating, “I spent last Christmas in a shed so this Christmas I won’t be in a shed wahoo!” The number of individuals experiencing homelessness is increasing in Bury St Edmunds, according to Bury Drop In. Sabine Dornbusch, the charity’s general manager, commented, “We are not a soup kitchen here, we do give them a hot meal but we also signpost people who come here to other services to get support.” She added, “No-one wants to be in this situation, it’s dangerous, people are attacked. The problem is that their needs are getting more complex, with the breakdown of support from probation, with support in addiction and with mental health.” Ms. Dornbusch further explained, “We are volunteer lead and we try to share a meal and have a conversation, we asked them how they are, we know their names and they progress here in their own time.” Bury Drop In requires approximately £90,000 annually to continue providing hot meals, clothing, hygiene products, and tents for those sleeping rough. The organization receives its funding through grants, other organizations, and donations from the public or businesses. Ms. Dornbusch conveyed the charity’s profound “grateful” for the community support within the town, but noted that raising the necessary funds was “hard and getting harder every year.” West Suffolk Council holds responsibility for housing and homelessness prevention in Bury St Edmunds. On Tuesday, at a full council meeting, it approved a new Housing, Homelessness and Reduction in Rough Sleeping Strategy. This strategy included an allocation of £612,000 to commence work on some of its planned actions. Richard O’Driscoll, a Labour councillor on the authority and cabinet member for housing, stated, “Some of the money will be spent on direct services like preventing people becoming homeless, but a large part of the money is about longer term solutions and encouraging the right homes, in the right types of places.” He also mentioned the council’s concern regarding young people becoming homeless, earmarking £62,00 towards a pilot scheme designed to educate them on independent living and prevent homelessness.