Ex-homeless duo escape from misery to university

TWO former homeless men have turned their lives around and are now working at the University of Manchester.

John Jackson and Frezghi Teklemichael were homeless for months after falling on hard times.

But just 12 months later, both men are now working as building attendants at the university.

John Jackson spent eight months sleeping rough around Manchester city centre, Stockport and Poynton in Cheshire after losing his job.

But the 23-year-old found a job after undertaking training with youth homelessness charity DePaul UK.

John, from Ancoats, said: “The University of Manchester not only gave me training with a job at the end, it is actually going to change my life.

“I was really nervous at first but they helped me build my confidence on the course and helped me to re-engage with the world of work.

“Since being here I have made some great new friends, and I can actually pay my own way. I am now looking to get my own accommodation with my partner. I’m very happy about starting work.”

University bosses have pledged support for the city’s Homelessness Charter and are developing pathways into employment for people with experience of homelessness.

They are also now employing asylumseeker Frezghi as building attendant.

Frezghi, 29, came to the UK from Eritrea, where he had been a teacher. But he became homeless when financial support from the National Asylum Support Service ended.

In March this year he had been unemployed for three-and-a-half years and was living in a hostel in Rochdale.

But after a referral to the university’s employment programme, Ready for Work, his life has been turned around.

He said: “The university a ●»John Jackson and Frezghi Teklemichael were both homeless last year but are now working as building attendants for the University of Manchester is a great place to work and I have been made to feel very welcome. I am developing new skills and beginning to focus on my long-term career goals here in the UK. It is so good to be in work and contributing to my new country.”

Steve Grant, assistant director of HR at the university, said: “The achievements of Frezghi and John illustrate that, with some support, it is possible for people who have experienced homelessness and other barriers to address the challenges they have faced and carve a new path for themselves.” M.E.N. has pledged to support and publicise the Manchester Homelessness Charter at appropriate opportunities. If you are affected by issues surrounding homelessness in any way, or if you want to help, you can go to: streetsupport.net