Yusef’s story

"The police first give me the telephone number for Jigsaw. I was at a police station as I had been getting threatening phone calls from a member of my own family in Pakistan. I moved to the UK because I was tortured in my own country for being gay.

When I first got in contact with Jigsaw I was literally on the streets and in fear of my life. My solicitor had also been making homophobic remarks. I was really beginning to give up hope.

Within a few hours Jigsaw got me somewhere safe I could stay temporarily. They have also been helping me make plans for the rest of my life. They made sure I am represented with a solicitor who is understanding of my situation and who will make sure I'm treated fairly. Then they got me a mentor who I see every week, I can speak to him about all sorts and he has been helping me look at courses and training I could enrol on.

My worker helps me with all sorts and I can talk to them about anything I know they won't judge me. I get invited to social events as well and get to meet other young people who are in a similar position. They have even helped with reporting a crime to the police. They have helped me with so much more than just my housing. I like the way I can access a whole range of stuff through Jigsaw, it's good that I don't have to tell my story over and over again. I now feel I have my life back".

Stonewall Housing has received funding from London Councils Opens in a new window to introduce an innovative broker service called ‘Jigsaw’ for young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people facing homelessness.  Rather than going to various different organisations for help, Jigsaw acts as a single access point.

_{Photo posed by model}