Aaron came to us with the police, after being forced to leave his home following an altercation with his father.
His father is living with dementia, and over time his behaviour has become increasingly unpredictable and, at times, violent. Aaron had been his carer for years. After losing his mum, it was just the two of them — and that home was everything he knew.
Aaron is autistic. He finds independence challenging and relies heavily on routine and familiar surroundings. He’s quiet, avoids eye contact, and is incredibly vulnerable — but when you get him talking about trains, his face lights up with passion and excitement.
The incident that brought him to us left him shaken. For his own safety, the police had to remove him from the home. He arrived with nothing but the clothes on his back.
In an instant, Aaron lost his home, his routine, and his sense of security.
This is how quickly homelessness can happen.
Since then, Chesterfield Borough Council have placed Aaron in temporary accommodation in a B&B, giving him a roof over his head while longer-term options are explored. He is now ready for a direct match for a house or flat — somewhere he can finally begin to rebuild stability in his life.
At Pathways, we’ve been supporting Aaron with the essentials. He has received toiletries, clothing, shoes, and food to help him through these first difficult days. We’ve also worked with him to complete his housing benefit application, along with an income and expenditure form for the council, ensuring everything is in place for his next steps.
Once Aaron is settled into a permanent property, we will apply for a DDF to help him access the essential items he needs to turn a house into a home and begin rebuilding his life.
Right now, Aaron’s mental health is at an all-time low. The loss of everything familiar has had a profound impact. But with the right support, stability, and a safe place of his own, there is hope for recovery.
Everyone deserves a place to feel safe. Aaron is just one of many who need that chance.
