Offering accommodation, support and hope to those experiencing homelessness and hardship since 1994.

One of our service users Stuart shares his story. Before he came to Crawley Open House Stuart’s life was dominated by ill health and addiction. The desire to rebuild damaged family relationships gave Stuart a determination to change and after years of hard work, engaging in counselling sessions and attending medical appointments, he now has good reason to be optimistic about the future. Together with Crawley Borough Council we helped Stuart secure a new home and he’s well on the way to achieving one of his most important goals: a close relationship with his children.

“I had a crap life and for a very long time I couldn’t see a way out. Drugs have been a part of my life for 20 years and substance abuse combined with poor mental health meant I lost contact with some of the people that mean the most to me; my six children.

I was sofa surfing for a bit, but that couldn’t last so I ended up rough sleeping, then a couple of friends mentioned that Crawley Open House might be able to help me. One Monday morning in late 2021, I decided to come down to the Resource Centre and the rest is history.

Crawley Open House gave me a second chance at life.

I’ve been clean for the past three years and I moved into my own place in June 2026.

The move has brightened my outlook. It’s had a good knock-on effect on my health too, I never miss my hospital appointments and my mental health has improved. I am happy now. I have somewhere safe and secure to live and a place where my children can visit anytime.”