A 75-year-old man found rough sleeping in a West Midlands bus
station is now back in a furnished home thanks to the help of
staff and the local community.
Jeff Adams found himself homeless after a fire gutted his
Wednesbury flat and all his belongings apart from the clothes he
was wearing.
He admits he would have been dead by now if not for the help of
bus station supervisor Sue Tycer and the local community who
rallied round to help.
It was after deciding the temporary accommodation offered in
central Birmingham was too far away that Jeff, a retired metal
stamper and lorry driver, opted instead to sleep on the bus
station's hard metal benches.
It was here he was spotted by caring Sue, who works for Transport
for West Midlands (TfWM), during her morning round of the bus
station – her offers of help were initially rebuffed and he would
wander off, saying he was getting the keys to his flat, only to
return the following night.
“It just wasn't right, a 75-year-old man sleeping on those cold
metal seats, no covers, nothing. But he's a proud man and wanted
to stay local,” Sue said.
Over several days Sue kept calling agencies, the council and
rough sleeper organisation Streetlink, for help, while bus
station staff kept an eye out, fed and helped Jeff where they
could. The housing officer visited the bus station a few times a
day until they were able to speak to Jeff – and eventually
Sandwell Councill found him a place at a comfortable local hotel
closer to home.
Getting the keys to return to his repaired flat should have been
the end – but all his belongings had been ruined in the fire –
meaning his home was an empty shell.
“He had lost everything and his flat had nothing in it yet, bare
plaster walls, nothing on the floor, no cooker, no fridge,
nothing to sit on and nothing to sleep on,” Sue added.
Sue posted an appeal for Jeff on the Wednesbury People Facebook
community page she runs and the donations came flooding in from
its 13,000 followers.
“I was just overwhelmed by the response. He got a bed, he got a
fridge, got a settee, he got bedding, clothes, TV, everything for
the kitchen, all through the kindness of strangers. The people of
Wednesbury just blew me away.”
She describes Jeff as a character and says she has seen a
different side to him. “People have been so kind, it's what the
world should be,” she added.
Asked about what it was like sleeping rough Jeff said: “It was
horrible. You can't believe how grateful I am to Sue and all
those people who gave me something. Without her I'd be dead.”
TfWM is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
, Mayor of the West Midlands
and chair of the WMCA, said: “Sue's kindness and determination to
help Jeff find a safe place to live is a remarkable example of
care and compassion.
“Her efforts, along with the way the Wednesbury community rallied
behind her appeal with donations, reflect the incredible warmth
and generosity that define our region. She's an inspiration, and
her actions remind us of the difference one person can make.
“Our frontline bus station staff always go above and beyond to
help passengers and play a vital role in ensuring people can
travel safely around the region.”
