“It’s a two-bedroom house and it’s all mine,” the 62-year-old says. “I can do what I want, and my family can come to see me whenever they like.”

David, who became homeless when his father died 11 years ago and he was told to vacate the rented house they lived together, admits it was something of a wrench when he left Derventio’s accommodation, where he said he had always been happy.

The length of his stay was certainly unusual. Most people who are given places will stay with the Trust for anything up to around two years, which is long enough for them to address the issues that have made them homeless and prevented them from living the life they want.

In that time they will undertake employment training or will be treated for substance abuse, or will be helped to set up doctors appointments and access hospital treatment – whatever they need to give themselves a brand new start.

Then, at the end of it all, they will be helped into their own independent accommodation.

David moved into his own house in January and although his health means that he is not fit to work, his parting gift, as it were, was £200 from Derventio’s Empowerment Fund to pay for household items to make his new house a home.

“I’m so grateful to the Trust for allowing me to apply to the fund because it’s paid for stuff that I wouldn’t have been able to afford, like a double bed and a three-piece suite,” he says.

“I don’t have that kind of money so they helped me to buy it and even though I would have been happy to stay with Derventio, they’ve done me proud.”

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