Chas's Story

Chas first made contact with Framework in Mansfield after he met fellow rough sleepers who told him about a day centre where he could get breakfast.

"I had been sleeping rough around Britain for about five or six years when I finally reached Mansfield. I slept in parks and quarries and at this point was drinking heavily: some days I was drinking a couple bottles of vodka. I started to attend [Framework's] Sherwood Street Day Centre once a week which slowly increased to four times a week"

It was at the day centre where the staff help Chas get a place at Michael Varnam House, a supported accommodation service run by Framework which aims to reduce people's alcohol consumption and improve their ability to live independently.

Whilst living there Chas was given one-to-one support and access to a variety of training courses to help prepare him for living on his own, he was also expected to take part in a detox programme. After only a few setbacks he managed to remain abstinent for 11 months.

Since then Chas has been living in his own flat at Gateford Chambers in Worksop. Gateford Chambers provides a stepping-stone between supported accommodation and complete independent living. There are 15 self-contained flats which are fully furnished and equipped, with a minimal amount of on-site support if needed.

"Since moving into my flat I've been helped to get back in touch with my children. Gateford Chambers has provided me with a space where I can live and also enabled me to have my grandchildren stay over and visit"

"My drinking was so bad that if Framework had not helped me, I think I would be dead by now".