Homelessness to Hope: Adam's Remarkable Journey Back into Work
How determination, opportunity and partnership helped one young man rebuild his life
At Tempus Novo, we often talk about second chances. Adam's story is a powerful reminder of why they matter.
Today, Adam is thriving in employment with Quest Solutions in Bradford. His employer describes him as "smashing it" and Adam himself says it is the best job he has ever had.
Just a few weeks earlier, however, he was facing a very different reality.
A Setback That Changed Everything
Adam was originally released from prison in 2024 and secured employment with GXO after successfully working on Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL).
Like many of the people we support, he was determined to build a better future. He worked hard, saved money and secured accommodation, giving himself the foundations for a fresh start.
However, following a recall to custody on what proved to be a relatively minor matter, his plans began to unravel.
Believing his return to prison would be short-lived, Adam continued paying the rent on his flat in the hope that he would soon return home.
That return never came.
Nineteen months later, after exhausting his savings and losing his accommodation, Adam found himself preparing for release once again with no home, no income and no financial safety net.
Never Giving Up
During his time in custody, Adam made contact with Tempus Novo and asked whether we could help him rebuild his future for a second time.
What immediately stood out was his determination. Throughout every conversation, every setback and every challenge, Adam remained focused on one thing: getting back into work.
His persistence, positivity and willingness to keep pushing forward made a lasting impression.
As release approached, Tempus Novo Employment Broker Caroline Wattley remained a constant source of support and encouragement. Maintaining regular contact with Adam, she helped him navigate an increasingly complex situation and ensured that, despite the uncertainty surrounding his release and accommodation, he never lost sight of his goal.
A Race Against Time
When Adam was released, he discovered that plans for a longer stay in Approved Premises had changed.
Instead of the 90 days he had expected, he was given just 28 days.
Twenty-eight days to find employment.
Twenty-eight days to find somewhere to live.
Twenty-eight days to rebuild his life from scratch.
With no savings, no accommodation and uncertainty around living arrangements with family members and his partner due to ongoing assessments, the clock was ticking.
Failure was not an option.
One Opportunity Changes Everything
Recognising Adam's potential, Tempus Novo introduced him to Quest Solutions, a growing business based in Low Moor, Bradford.
From the moment he met the team, Adam impressed.
His communication skills, attitude and determination shone through, and he was offered the role.
A start date was agreed and Adam finally had the opportunity he had worked so hard to secure.
Behind the scenes, Caroline worked tirelessly to coordinate support, maintain communication between all parties and ensure that barriers were addressed as quickly as possible. At times when the situation appeared overwhelming, she became the glue holding everything together, refusing to let Adam's ambition be derailed by circumstances beyond his control.
One Week into Employment – and Homeless
Then came another challenge.
On the final day of his Approved Premises placement, just one week after starting work, Adam found himself homeless.
That evening he left his partner's house with nowhere to stay.
The following morning he turned up for work as normal.
No complaints!
No excuses!
Just determination to hold on to the opportunity he had fought so hard to secure.
While Adam continued showing up for work, Caroline, Tempus Novo and Quest Solutions worked urgently behind the scenes to find a solution.
Together, they explored accommodation options and agreed to provide support if suitable housing could be secured.
With a Bank Holiday weekend approaching, time was running out.
When one potential room fell through at the last minute, Quest Solutions Managing Director Simon stepped forward and arranged hotel accommodation to ensure Adam would not spend the weekend sleeping on the streets.
Shortly afterwards, suitable accommodation was identified and, working together, Tempus Novo and Quest Solutions helped ensure Adam could move in immediately.
A crisis had been averted.
Building a Future
Today, Adam has what every person deserves: stability, purpose and hope.
He has a roof over his head.
He has meaningful employment.
He has an employer who believes in him.
Most importantly, he has a future.
His story could easily have ended very differently. Without employment, support and timely intervention, Adam could have found himself homeless, unemployed and at risk of returning to the behaviours that had previously brought him into the criminal justice system.
Instead, he is succeeding.
The Power of Partnership
Adam's journey demonstrates exactly why Tempus Novo exists.
Employment changes lives.
But when dedicated individuals, employers, probation services and charities work together, they can achieve something even more powerful: lasting change.
We are incredibly grateful to Simon and the team at Quest Solutions for recognising Adam's potential and standing beside him when he needed support most.
We also recognise the unwavering commitment of Caroline Wattley, whose persistence, compassion and determination ensured that Adam remained supported through some of the most challenging moments of his journey. Her belief in Adam never faltered, and her efforts exemplify the personal, bespoke and sustainable support that sits at the heart of the Tempus Novo model.
As for Adam, his determination never wavered.
Today he is proving that second chances work when people are prepared to seize them.
And Adam has certainly done that.
Jobs for Life. Changing Lives.