Tia's special Christmas present this year ... a roof over her head

A woman who spent the lead-up to last Christmas sleeping in a shop front in Exeter is now starting to turn her life around and is now living in a self-contained flat.

Tia Bamford (31), came to the attention of thousands of shoppers in December 2016, sharing a tent and a Christmas tree with a friend in front of the old BHS store in the High Street.

Tia was able to spend last Christmas in emergency accommodation thanks to Exeter City Council’s Housing Solutions service, who have spent the last year supporting the former rough sleeper.

“Tia is not out of the woods yet but over the last 12 months she has taken significant steps towards turning her life around,” said Kelly Rigler, Exeter City Council’s Senior Housing Options Officer.

“Tia’s story is a great example of how with determined efforts, people can be supported to break the cycle of street dependence and look to the future with some degree of hope.”

Tia is grateful to the City Council and the work of Kelly and her colleagues. “If it wasn’t for Kelly, I’d still be on the streets,” she said. “She has been so supportive to me.”

Her story is by no means unique when it comes to Britain’s homeless. Tia left home at 13 and became an alcoholic at the age of 16. She had a flat in Burnthouse Lane for a number of years but left when she split up with her boyfriend.

She moved into another council house but started taking drugs and became addicted to heroin. Until recently she had been ‘sofa surfing’ and sleeping rough for around eight years.

“I’m looking to do some volunteering work in the New Year,” said Tia.

Tia is not the only example of recent positive progress in Exeter. In the last few weeks three former rough sleepers have moved into more settled accommodation after working closely with the City Council’s Housing Solutions service.

Cllr Emma Morse, Lead Councillor for People, said that positive steps were being made all the time: “We’re working closely with a range of partners to support rough sleepers and encourage them indoors. It’s not easy and can be extremely challenging as we are supporting individuals with complex and often multiple issues.

“However, we have an extremely dedicated and compassionate team that are prepared to go that extra mile to help people turn their lives around and I have to take my hat off to them.”