When Billy first came through our doors at Pathways back in December 2024, he was tired, guarded, and unsure of who he could trust. A 51-year-old man with strong roots in Bolsover, Billy had recently found himself without a home after a difficult relationship breakdown. Bolsover District Council had placed him in temporary B&B accommodation — a short-term fix for a man facing long-term challenges.
Billy lives with schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression — conditions that make day-
to-day life an uphill battle. Add a history of substance use into the mix, and you begin to understand just how heavy the weight was that Billy was carrying.
In the early days, things were tough. Trust didn’t come easily to Billy, and his emotions were often unpredictable. Not long after our support began, he was asked to leave the B&B due to his mental health. Understandably, this shook him. But thanks to a collaborative effort with Cheryl at Bolsover Council, we found him another place to stay — buying us all some much-needed time to figure out a longer-term plan.
Billy became a regular at our drop-in sessions — popping in for food, toiletries, a coffee, or just a chat. Slowly but surely, he began to open up. Behind the chaotic behaviour was a man who wanted change, who wanted stability, who just wanted a chance.
We knocked on a lot of doors for Billy. Many supported housing providers felt his needs were too high. It was frustrating, but we didn’t give up. One day, we referred him to the Healthy Futures Programme run by Derventio — and finally, the door opened. Billy was accepted. When we told him, he was over the moon.
But life doesn’t always follow a straight path. Just one month in, his mental health began to spiral again. He was overwhelmed and, unfortunately, was evicted. It was a painful setback — but it wasn’t the end.
We reopened Billy’s case at Pathways and, once again, Bolsover Council stepped in with another temporary B&B placement. There was a condition, though: one more incident, and he’d lose the support. The pressure was real.
Through it all, Billy kept showing up — to our drop-ins, to conversations, to himself. He fought through rejection after rejection from housing providers, but we kept searching. In March 2025, we made a new move: a referral to RSAP (a Framework project offering intensive support). We knew it was the right fit. Bolsover agreed — and so did RSAP. Billy was accepted.
That was the good news. The bad? The property needed repairs, and the move-in date kept getting pushed back. It’s now October, and Billy’s still waiting.
But here’s the incredible part: he hasn’t given up.
He still pops in every day for a chat and a coffee (even if he can’t remember our names and just calls us “Miss” 😉). He’s started going to groups, staying engaged, and looking after himself. Sure, he gets frustrated — who wouldn’t? But every time, he comes to us to talk it through and leaves feeling calmer. He’s learning, growing, and holding on — and we couldn’t be prouder.
Billy worked closely with our mental health nurse Tom and our recovery worker Becs. He’s built trust where it was once broken. And though he’s hard on himself, the progress he’s made speaks volumes.
We know he’ll thrive with Framework once that move finally happens. Until then, we’ll be right here — cheering him on, one coffee at a time.
Billy’s story is far from over — but already, it’s one of resilience, hope, and the power of second (and third, and fourth) chances.
You’ve got this, Billy. 💪