Josh Ellie was once a frequent fixture outside the Greggs on Kirstall road. He was addicted to drugs for nearly two years, struggling with dependencies on spice and cocaine and sleeping rough.
During this tough period, whenever Greggs’ store manager Shelagh saw him outside she would buy him breakfast and a hot drink – a gesture he says helped to save his life whilst he was sleeping rough.
Over the past four months he’s managed to turn his life around, thanks in part to help of Leeds charity Vulnerable Citizen Support.
Fronted by Pudsey local Hayden Lee Jessop, the charity picked him up outside Greggs, found him housing and helped him to start work as a landscaper.
Ellis has now been clean of cocaine and spice for over 124 days.
Having come so far, he went back to thank Shelagh for the help she gave during one of the most difficult periods of his life.
He told her: “I want to say thank you for what you did buying me breakfast each morning.”
Shelagh couldn’t believe how much he had changed, adding that he isn’t just inspiring himself but others around the UK too.
The charity, who’s slogan is “homeless not helpless”, was founded by Jessop at the start of 2020.
A reformed criminal himself, Jessop spent time in prison in 2013 for violence and drugs. Having turned his own life around, he now wants to help others do the same.
He has spent the past year building temporary homes out of shipping containers and helping addicts get clean as part of a one year detox programme.
The charity also provides food parcels to local individuals and families in need.
Photographs of Josh’s reunion with Shelagh have been circulating on social media, with many praising his recovery.
