‘It’s about being listened to, not judged’: Grantham man who once faced homelessness now helps others find hope
A Grantham charity says demand for free meals has risen by more than fifty percent - with one man who once relied on the service now helping to run it.
Chris Thompson became homeless in after his marriage broke down, spending several weeks sleeping on a park bench. Now, as a coordinator for Grantham Passage, he helps organise free meals across the town seven days a week.
Chris says he uses his experience to challenge the stigma surrounding homelessness.
“I always try and use my story as an example,” he said. “There’s a derogatory, stereotypical view of anybody that’s street sleeping - but everybody’s got a different story.
"Some of those stories might be self-inflicted, but many people end up on the streets through no fault of their own.”
He remembers the moment he first came to Grantham Passage for help.
“I broke down, because it’s quite an emotional feeling to realise that somebody is listening to you - and isn’t judging you for street sleeping.”
The charity says demand has grown sharply this year.
“We’re getting more and more people using our service,” Chris explained. “We’re now seeing families with small children coming down on a Tuesday night - and numbers are rising across the board, every day of the week.”
As well as offering free meals, Grantham Passage works with local agencies to help people take steps towards stable housing and long-term support.
“We work with anybody who wants to move forward,” Chris added. “We’ve got great relationships with other agencies locally - and we hope to help people along that path to getting a roof over their head.”
For Chris, it’s about more than food - it’s about dignity, understanding, and making sure no one feels invisible.