Tony's Story (Social Connection Project)

Tony arrived in Brighton in 2023 after fleeing domestic abuse. Following two weeks of sleeping rough, he moved into emergency accommodation, where he felt unsafe because of his sexuality. With no local network, he experienced deep loneliness and struggled with his mental health, social anxiety and addiction.

After Tony was referred to Justlife’s Social Connection Project, he worked alongside the team to make joining the Peer Support Group feel manageable. This included visiting the venue beforehand, planning what he could do if he felt overwhelmed and connecting with specialist services.

Tony was also matched with Marco, a volunteer befriender who understood some of his experiences. Over 18 months, they met regularly for coffee and walks. Tony says: “Marco was non-judgmental and accepting of where I was coming from and what I was going through.”

Tony gradually began attending peer support independently, gaining confidence from sharing his experiences and encouraging others. He now engages consistently with recovery services and has seen significant improvements in his mental health. In 2025, Tony moved into a permanent home. Now more settled, he is exploring learning and volunteering opportunities that will allow him to use his experiences to help others.