Case studies

I took a call during our homeless slot – 10am to 11am on Friday mornings – from a man who wanted accommodation for both himself and his wife. I advised that usually Manna helps single people – our providers seldom have vacancies for couples. I learned that his wife was pregnant and the Council had … Read more

A small proportion of the clients who attend Manna do not have regularized stay in the country. People who have overstayed or otherwise do not have a legitimate status in this country, will usually not be able to access benefits or social housing. Most councils have an NRPF team (No Recourse To Public Funds) but … Read more

Last year, I wrote about a client whom I named Ngor, a respectful, delightful person who made misguided and dangerous decisions at times – her issues were complex.  One day, towards the end of a Housing appointment, she handed me some letters from Bailiffs. It transpired that she had been stopped on London transport and … Read more

Whilst interviewing clients, they often tell me who directed them to Manna and it’s usually a good job that they were referred, when you see the impact, the Centre has on their lives.  Casey (not his real name) came to Manna as a Walk in (having no pre planned appointment). He was a little dejected. … Read more

“It’s good to talk” I can’t remember where I heard that phrase but that’s what led to a positive result for one of my clients. Before arriving at Manna, I was working at Age UK. I’m still in contact with my ex- colleagues there and they hadn’t heard of Manna and didn’t know what it … Read more

(Fictitious names have been used throughout to protect identities) I interviewed Ranco as a “Walk in” appointment. He was so, clean cut and well-presented that it was difficult to believe he was homeless until someone else later corroborated this fact. Ranco was Eastern European and had a weak grasp of English.  He said that he … Read more

I often think that working with clients to help them resolve an issue can be compared to opening a Matryoshka Doll Set- just as you take apart the first doll there is another inside it and so can it be with our clients who initially present one issue during an advice appointment,  but it is … Read more

Frequently I come across people who fall between the gaps of existing service provision and quite often these can be working people, which seems odd at first because having a job can be equated with a modicum of financial and material security. Sadly, some sections of the working populace can find that their job is … Read more

Quite often Advisors find they go above and beyond to serve our clients.  I initially saw SG as a walk-in client at the beginning of December. She was homeless, her English was faltering but it sounded as though she had sought assistance from one housing charity but they had not successfully housed her and now … Read more

HO a newly recognised Refugee, attended her housing appointment with a friend who assisted with interpretation, one morning early in November.  Like most Refugees whom I interview, she had become homeless after her Refugee status was granted. She said that she had become stressed and anxious in Norwich where the Asylum accommodation had been located; … Read more