BROTHERS who spent years on the streets together without knowing they were related found strength when they discovered each other's true identity.

Gavin Barker, 29, now serves meals to the homeless at Never Give Up after turning his life around during a turbulent time spent in prison and a long history of family feuds.

His time on the streets was littered with uncertainty but it was the remarkable catalyst which put him in touch with his half brother, Ben.

The pair knew each other through different circles of homeless people, but did not discover the remarkable truth until they shared their chequered family history ten years ago.

Gavin, of Acomb, always knew he had a brother with the same mum, but had no idea it was Ben.

He said: "I knew who he was but didn't know he was my brother until our sister introduced us.

"Meeting him helped me to know I had family and we were in the same situation. It's helped me get on a bit better with my family."

Gavin grew up in care and spent time in prison before he was able to turn his life around.

He now cooks for Never Give Up at The Belfrey Hall, on Stonegate, once a week.

"I lost my way and was a drug user but I heard about this a year ago and managed to get into temporary accommodation," he added.

"When I was on the streets I used to go to the library to read books and use the computers, or just stay around York.

"It was hard and depressing but once I got off the streets I didn't touch drugs.

"It was difficult and I never thought this would happen to me.

"I had to get voluntary work to start with and now I have an NVQ in cooking.

"I regret the drugs but I've come to terms with who I am."

One of the youngest people at the Never Give Up group is 26-year-old Ben, who has been receiving support since he was thrown out of home as a drug-taking teenager.

The former Manor School pupil, was left to his own devices on the streets aged 16 and has struggled to get his life back on track.

He has battled addiction and recently held a job in a restaurant, but lost it when he fell out with his manager.

He said: "We've both lived on the streets and we knew if we were in a bad situation we would help each other out.

"Our relationship is strong now and we always go out for a couple drinks or just talk to each other."

Ben now lives in a shared flat provided by the faith group Restore and is attending a 12 week rehabilitation course provided by the city's Changing Lives.

He added: "It was horrible to live on the streets at 16.

"I was looking for places where I wasn't going to be disturbed and kept myself to myself.

"I used to sleep down by the river somewhere in-between Scarborough bridge and Clifton bridge, and when I was last down there there was about six of us.

"I had a few problems but I just picked my stuff up and moved on."


Places to get help in York include

• Carecent - An independent charity set up 30 years ago, Carecent serves cooked breakfasts six days a week from a room behind Central Methodist Church, on St Saviourgate, York.

• Never Give Up - Based at The Belfrey Centre, on Stonegate, a group of volunteers serve warm meals to the homeless every Thursday.

• York Foodbank - The city’s foodbank service can be found at The Gateway Centre, in Acomb, and gives food away to those in desperate need. Opening times can be found at www.york.foodbank.org.uk

• The Salvation Army - One of the most recognisable homeless charities, The Salvation Army provides food and shelter to those who require it.

• Arc Light - City of York Council’s “state of the art” facility can be found on Union Terrace and provides emergency accommodation for adults and couples without children.

• The Peasholme Charity - Founded in 1988, it provides drug and alcohol services for the homeless and runs a resettlement centre with City of York Council to find accommodation for those who arrive on their doorstep.

• Restore - The Christian faith group was set up in 2010 and began providing accommodation a year later. It now houses 26 people in five shared homes across York.

• SASH – Operating under the slogan “Preventing Youth Homelessness Together”, SASH works with 16 to 25-year-olds in York, North Yorkshire and East Riding to prevent them becoming homeless or unemployed.