Justice 4 Jay!

The full story can be found on our Tik-Tok page in a series of videos.

Jay is my partner who I have been caring for for the past 2.5 years, he's a Royal Marines veteran with Complex Post Traumatic Stress & ASPD. These are severe and debilitating mental health conditions that have had developed due to a childhood full of abuse (he is also a care leaver) and subsequent violent trauma sustained in service.

(All of the relevant authorities have been informed, the NHS (Op Courage, who have been brilliant), Social workers, and he is engaging with therapists etc).

He has been trained to such a high level to be aware of and reactive to threat he cannot safely live in any kind of built up area (Occupational Therapists reports confirm this to be the case). Because of this he has been on and off "intentionally homeless" for the past 3 years, through 2 spinal surgery's and complete breakdown of relationship with both biological and foster family due to lack of awareness about his conditions and dysfunctional dynamics.

He bought a campervan after being rejected for over 15 private rentals in the summer of 21' (stigmatisation of him being homeless, living in his work van with his dog, Kaos) and was trying to renovate it (whilst working full time) in winter 21', this is when he slipped 2 disks in his spine and needed 2 surgeries. I cared for him and rented a ground floor flat to facilitate this. We had no support as I have no family in the south west. No transport as I don't drive either, which was fun trying to get to hospitals with his back in taxis and trains etc.

We have been through hell this past 3 years and it's now coming to a very critical point where I am genuinely scared for his life.

He is currently parked (basically SORN) on some private land where in our desperation he has been or should I say, we have been, taken advantage of. We've invested 1000's of hours of very hard work in all weather conditions over the winter in return for use of the facilities to renovate the campervan, have access to a workshop where Jay can do his carpentry work (his main coping strategy for his mental health) and have a private place to park.

However the person who is managing the land decided to use the van port for the renovation of his own campervan over the winter instead despite Jay having done all the work to make it watertight, we tried to negotiate access but have been ignored and gaslit which has now resulted in Jay no longer having use of any of the facilities he has worked so hard to build and doesn't feel safe being on the land in his camper as he has subsequently been subjected to harassment. He spends his days trying his best to take his therapists advice by staying on the local estuary with Kaos to stay away from the triggers which are dangerous for him to be around.

The only reason the appropriate authorities arent stepping in to mediate and prosecute is because they have nowhere to relocate Jay, and they have a duty of care to do so if engaged.

This campervan is the only place he has ever felt like he can call home. Myself, Kaos and the campervan (Ivy), have been his reason to stay alive this past 2-3 years. We have poured our heart and soul into her, towing her nearly 400 miles in total to keep her in our possession and spending £1000s on her renovation already.

Because of your amazing support we now have the funds to start making the campervan road legal, we are not sure how much the mechanics and auto electrics will cost so we do still need at least another £2000 to give use breathing space with this.

We also have also been provided with a temporary rural pitch to move to and although we are beyond grateful for the light at the end of the tunnel to be turned back on again, and it will provide essential respite for Jay, it isn't sustainable long term.

There IS a retreat that could have accommodated Jay months ago and that would be much more stable and secure for him, but they don't have any PARKING!

"Belissima" is a natural refuge for veterans run by an ex Royal Marine. They have already provided refuge and undoubtedly saved many lives already, there is community and therapy available on site.

However their capacity and ability to do this is greatly hindered by the lack of access! Currently there isn't even a proper layby to park in and if Veterans want to use the space it's best to be dropped off. This really limits the work they can do.

If parking had been available for Jay we would not have been forced into our current situation. If spaces like this were readily available, it would have meant that Jay could have ended his homelessness in 2021... We didn't need to go through what we went through, all we needed was a patch of land where Jay could relax and renovate the van. It's really not that much to ask for is it...

Jay's is by no means an isolated case, over the years of talking with our caseworkers from various charities I often was told of veterans struggling with exactly the same problems, unable to rehabilitate in an urban environment and forced to live on the fringes of society, homeless etc. There is at least 1 other person that I know of who is struggling a similar fate as Jay as we speak, they may not have the support of a partner or a dog... And like so many of Jays friend's who were left without that support after discharge, they may take their own lives.

BELISSIMA COULD PROVIDE AN ESSENTIAL FOOTHOLD TO VETERANS IN THE UK EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM, THIS COULD SAVE 100'S IS NOT 1000'S OF LIVES IN THE DECADES TO COME.

It is now my mission in life to secure this money for them, I will be sharing this crowdfund to the ends of the earth.

I will attach a word document where I will list everyone I'm sharing this document with.

If you cant donate but you want to make the biggest difference, please spend 15 mins of your time sending this to them again and to whoever else you can possibly think of.

I also feel it is my duty to hold the services that have failed us, accountable. I've already contacted specialist lawyers to advise. When we receive the compensation, after we have fortified our own position, we will put all the money back into projects such as this one and possibly even create one of our own.

The charities that are there to support Jay (Royal British Legion, SSAFA, Royal Marines Charity etc) will not fund the full renovation of the campervan and have been unable to find a patch of secure land for 3 years.

We have done what they haven't in less that a week...

The Royal Marines Charity have been able to fund some things that cover his basic living conditions such as a mattress, water tank, generator and a fridge which haven't arrived yet, but are on their way.

I will make sure to show receipts of everything we spend on the campervan and also everything we will donate to Belissima.

These men and women risk their entire lives for their country, the least they should get in return is some private land to rehabilitate on? The freedom to live in the way they need to survive? When you are this unwell, managing estate agents, rental deposits, bank accounts, taxes, bills etc is not possible. The rental market is broken at the moment and planning laws strangle people who want to live a sustainable, low impact lifestyle on rural land.

Without my voice and reach Jay would have died, I cannot look after Kaos solo, and I highly doubt he would be receptive to rehoming, he would have likely been put down.

I am only now just realising how badly we have been let down, and how minimal our needs were that haven't been met...