‘I knew I’d lost the flat’: Man who worked with Jamie Oliver helped by Red Cross after falling homeless

The British Red Cross helped a man who once appeared on a Jamie Oliver TV series get back on his feet after a number of unfortunate events left him homeless.

John Leavey met Alex Bigucci from the British Red Cross South East London homelessness project when he was at a very low point.  

Now, the 55 year old father of five, is living in supported housing in Denmark Hill, has his drinking under control and has got his confidence back. 

Mr Leavey struggled with alcohol misuse and hadn’t had a secure home since he split from his partner several years ago. 

He worked, cash-in-hand, packing and delivering fruit and veg from Borough Market. During this time, Mr Leavey supplied many of London’s top restaurants with produce which led to his friendship with Jamie Oliver and appearance in one of the chef’s books and on his TV series.  

But living without security was very stressful, and Mr Leavey’s drinking worsened

Things came to a head when he lost his job due to drinking and his health took a dive. In July last year, he collapsed and ended up in St Thomas’ Hospital. 

Mr Leavey said: “I was staying at a friend’s flat, I started to get the shakes, so I went for some water, and then I passed out. Split my skull and broke my back. I was in the hospital for three weeks.

“I knew I’d lost the flat, and I was really worried about the future. That’s when I met Alex.”

Alex Bigucci is part of the British Red Cross South-East London Homeless team. 

Mr Bigucci said: “The key thing is being able to take time to get to know someone’s individual situation and we take the same approach with the homeless community.

“Sometimes just a few weeks of care and support can make an enormous difference in someone’s ability to cope with being part of the system again.” 

He worked with Mr Leavey to find him a suitable place to live, eventually he was offered a room in supported housing in Denmark Hill for people dealing with alcohol issues. 

Mr Bigucci visited Mr Leavey over several weeks until he was settled and confident in his new accommodation. One of the first things they did was open a bank account for Mr Leavey and apply for the benefits he was entitled to. 

Mr Leavey said: “I was too anxious to even answer my phone, without the Red Cross I wouldn’t be here, I’d be out on the street.

“Now I’m fed, I’m warm, my drinking is under control, I’m learning to judge my money more carefully. I’ve got a GP and I’m taking care of myself better. A lot of that is thanks to Alex.”

Pictured Top: John Leavey and Alex Bigucci (Picture: Katy Taylor-Gooby)