Oskar, originally from Poland, is now rebuilding his life in Bristol after moving into a safe, stable home through our partnership with social impact investor Resonance. After a period of housing instability that put both his health and recovery at serious risk, having the right home – alongside the right support – has been life‑changing.
Oskar is supported by DHI as part of our partnership with Resonance, which brings together secure housing and tailored support for people who have experienced homelessness. With consistent support that meets his individual needs, Oskar is now in a much stronger position to focus on his wellbeing and move towards a more positive future.
Oskar’s housing difficulties began while he was living in shared accommodation with others who regularly used drugs and alcohol. As someone in recovery from problematic alcohol use and living with severe heart failure, this environment was unsafe and unsuitable, posing a serious risk to his physical health.
After moving into a privately rented property, Oskar experienced a period of stability and had a positive relationship with his landlord. However, when the property was sold and he was served a Section 21 notice, he was required to leave. With limited income from benefits, finding alternative accommodation that was both affordable and appropriate proved extremely challenging.
Without access to stable housing, both Oskar’s recovery and physical health were at risk.
That changed when Oskar was offered a self‑contained home through Resonance’s National Homelessness Property Fund 2 (NHPF2), alongside dedicated support from DHI.
Having a stable home has given Oskar the calm and security he needs to manage his health more effectively. He is fully engaged with healthcare services, attending medical appointments, taking prescribed medication, and carefully pacing his daily activities to reduce strain on his heart.
The impact on his mental health has also been significant. Oskar has shown increased motivation, emotional stability and insight, and is developing healthier ways to manage anxiety and low mood linked to his health.
Alongside this, he is building greater confidence around managing his finances, working towards increased independence and setting personal savings goals.
Dedicated support from DHI
Support from DHI has been central to this progress. Through regular, consistent contact with his support worker, Oli Dawes, Oskar has been able to build trust and feel more confident engaging with services. This consistency has been particularly important where language barriers can make systems harder to navigate, helping Oskar to better understand and access the support available to him.
Oskar remains strongly committed to his recovery and plays an active role in the recovery community. He runs an Alcoholics Anonymous group locally in Bristol and attends additional meetings, supporting others while maintaining his own progress. He has also built a small network of friends, helping to reduce isolation and strengthen his sense of belonging.
With a safe, stable home and the right support in place, Oskar now has a foundation that allows him to focus on his health, sustain his recovery, and continue moving forward.
His story highlights the vital role that stable housing plays – not just in providing a roof over someone’s head, but in supporting health, recovery and long‑term wellbeing.
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