Bus station supervisor rallies Black Country community to help rough sleeper return home

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).

Richard Parker, 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.”