When Donnie’s long-term relationship ended, everything changed. He moved out of the home he had shared, and life quickly became unstable.
“It wasn’t just the breakup,” he says. “There were other things going on that made it harder to keep going.”
Alcohol became part of the struggle, adding pressure when he was already trying to stay afloat. Donnie lost his driving licence and most of his savings. He couldn’t see a clear way forward. For a time, he lived in his van, doing what he could to get by, before moving into temporary accommodation.
That’s when he was introduced to Carr Gomm.
Over the next two years, Donnie worked closely with Carr Gomm Support Practitioners to regain stability. Staying in Argyll and Bute was an important part of that journey. It’s where he feels at home.
Thanks to the right support, Donnie didn’t have to leave the area just to find housing. He was eventually offered a tenancy in Oban, where he now lives independently. It’s a fresh start, but not a disconnected one — he remains part of the community that matters most to him.
“It made a big difference, just having someone there,” Donnie says.
At Carr Gomm, we believe support should meet people where they are.
In Argyll and Bute, our Housing Support services work with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.Supporting them to secure and maintain tenancies, manage money and energy costs, build confidence,and access the benefits they’re entitled to.
“We are there to empower people.”– Eileen McArthur, Service Manager
That’s what made the difference for Donnie finding the right support to stay close to home and move forward in his own way.
Want to support Carr Gomm’s work?
Your donation helps us provide a range of vital support services across Scotland.
Need Housing Support in Argyll and Bute?
Find out more about how we can help people in Argyll and Bute at our Housing Support service page.