Josh Yifrah

Said the following about Shafizul Hussain:

“I am writing as someone affected by homelessness and supported by Shafizul Hussain (known as Shaf), who has shown a good amount of concern and kindness towards me over several years. I had been street homeless for a long time and Shaf came across me regularly begging in his workplace, Manchester Piccadilly Railway Station. He would try to discourage me from this and ask me to leave the station, but I didn’t react in the best way. I noticed though that Shaf seemed less hostile towards me than some staff.

During 2020 when the station was quieter due to the pandemic, Shaf and me started to chat more and one day when I was begging in the station and clearly struggling, Shaf asked me if I was alright, before encouraging me to let him make a referral to the charity, Shelter. Other staff and agencies had tried unsuccessfully to involve me in services before, but Shaf’s caring and non-judgemental manner helped me to trust him and decide to engage. As officially I am Jewish, Shaf also encouraged me to ask the Jewish community to help me get housing. A few months later I was housed and again with Shaf’s encouragement I started courses in English and Maths.

Unfortunately, due to sad circumstances beyond my control, a year later I became homeless again and my mental health then suffered. Twice in the station where Shaf works, I experienced suicidal thoughts; the first time Shaf happened to see me as I was heading for a platform and he greatly calmed me down and said I’d feel better after sleeping which was right, and the second time I told Shaf how I was feeling before I planned to do anything. Again he showed kindness and calmed me down. Also with his encouragement I’ve got off drugs, stopped begging, and have set up a bank account. Recently, he saw me on a day when I was feeling very sad as it was the fifth anniversary of my son’s death, and again he showed concern and treated me well.

Shaf and I have had many conversations about different things and with him being different to my friends and other people I’ve grown up with, I have sometimes confided in him and got his help to read things in English which isn’t my native language. Recently, I showed him a message I’d received relating to support for PTSD, and although I was reluctant, he caringly and strongly encouraged me to take up this support, which I have since decided to do. Shaf has also consistently encouraged me to try to get my life back on track with housing again and also education and work. I am now close to being housed again and to quote Shaf, I have “mellowed” and am a better person than before.

I know other people affected by homelessness who also respect Shaf and it’s clear how popular he is with his colleagues. Shaf has superb people skills and I feel that in the years we’ve known each other, he has treated me well and helped me more than he had to; he could’ve ignored or dismissed me like others have done, but instead he has been encouraging and had a positive impact on my life. I am very grateful and will always appreciate Shaf.“