From crisis to career: Partnership rebuilds lives through construction
Just months ago, Dan was sleeping rough with no career prospects, his hopes of a job in construction and to follow in his dad’s footsteps, slipping away. Today, he is not only employed by leading housing specialist Lovell, but he also has a stable home and an exciting future ahead.
Dan's journey is a success story of ‘We’ve Got You’ - a vital partnership initiative from Lovell; St Basils, and Birmingham Children’s Trust. This collaboration was forged in 2023 with a clear mission: to provide care-experienced and homeless young people in the West Midlands with the opportunities they need to thrive.
Dan was first approached while out on the streets – employment opportunities had fallen through, and he had been left with nowhere to go. Despite this, his motivation and drive to work never wavered.
The St Basils outreach team spoke about his options and following a thorough assessment, Dan was referred to the We’ve Got You scheme. He was offered a role with Lovell in the West Midlands and soon after, was granted Live & Work accommodation through St Basils.
Recalling that time, Dan said: "It was hard and I was under a lot of stress, but I was determined to get back into paid work, staying well-presented, following the advice of my support worker, and actively approaching people for jobs to grab any opportunity. Then I got the interview through St Basils and things started to change.
“My dad was in construction and I used to help during school holidays. It has always been a part of my life; it is where my passion lies, and I was so excited to join the Lovell team.”
As part of the scheme, Dan has access to discounted accommodation for two years and has already been supported to gain qualifications including his CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme), English, maths and a DBS check. Through employment with Lovell, Dan can now build a positive renting record, create a nest egg, and strengthen his CV.
Dan added: “Everyone at Lovell has been so welcoming, creating the perfect environment for me to develop my skills. The supported housing enabled me to get all the paperwork including a CSCS card, so I could start working. I could never have done this alone, so I am very grateful. I am now looking ahead to studying construction management at university.”
Simon Wingate, regional partnerships director at Lovell, said: “We’ve Got You was created to prevent care and homeless-experienced young people from falling into crisis. By bringing together the public and private sectors, we can offer job opportunities but also access to housing which together are crucial protective factors which prevent vulnerable young people entering crisis.
“For Lovell, this solidifies our responsibility as an employer to do the right thing and underscores our commitment to the regions where we are actively delivering regeneration and public-backed projects. Our young people are vital to the economic growth and prosperity of the West Midlands and beyond, and we’ll continue to step up to make a difference. Dan's story is just the beginning.”
Kash Munroe, partnership and employer liaison at St Basils, said: “We are delighted that Dan has received this opportunity and is taking full advantage of it. Employment is vital for a person's prospects and, sadly, many young people can be disadvantaged by circumstances, many of which are out of their control. Thank you to the team at Lovell for their support and we look forward to working on more of these opportunities with other young people we work with.”
For more information about Lovell Partnerships and We’ve Got You, visit: corporate.lovell.co.uk/where-we-operate/midlands/weve-got-you/
