Keyword Search

Bob Barrett

Bob Barrett has been a resident at the Foundation since 2004. He is the co-founder of The Beef Kitchen, and Pryors Bank Cafe.

"The Foundation gave me a home, supported me through a long and serious illness and saw to my needs. On the day I moved into my new home I went to collect my keys and with them came a shopping bag with tea, coffee and milk; I left the office in tears. I will never forget that kind gesture. Not two weeks later after a visit to my doctor my life was to change forever, and the need for the Foundation become more urgent.

In April 2004 I heard the words we all dread to hear: "Mr Barrett you have cancer." I came home to my new flat in a daze; what do you do, how do you cope? Two weeks later, I was rushed to hospital with heart problems and it was going to be near four weeks before I saw my new home again.

Now you know the problems I faced, what is important is how I recovered. Without question, that is down to the extra support from the Foundation, provided by their excellent Tenant Support team. Each SOSF staff member never lets a day go by without asking how I was or if I needed anything, providing home visits, doing my shopping or just dropping by for a chat. It made so much difference.

Throughout my treatment all I could focus on was getting home, feeling safe, and marvelling at the treatment and kindness shown to me by the Foundation. I wanted to give something back for the chance and life support given to me...

I believe if you create an opportunity for others, it has far more chance of success than if you do it for yourself. SOSF does that every single day so I jumped on the bandwagon. I, and many like me, needed a future so I put the old thinking cap on and came up with the Beef Kitchen idea. I talked fellow residents Tim Wilson and Emmett Burke into joining me and approached CEO Rick Brunwin with my idea. In August 2005 we opened for business, capitalising on the Foundation's close proximity to Chelsea Football Club by selling good quality food to Chelsea fans on match days.

Much has happened since then, and the Beef Kitchen has grown and has succeeded in tendering for opening an apprenticeship cafe for former homeless ex-Servicemen in Bishop's Park, Fulham.

I've now had four years in remission and enjoyed four years here at the Foundation. After three football seasons the Beef Kitchen is stronger and still growing, and it's thanks to our supporters that many more homeless ex-Service personnel can be helped.

I look at the plaque outside the Foundation that lists the names of those who gave their support to build the estate, who believed in what Oswald Stoll wanted to do. Rich or poor they gave to help; I thank them and the Foundation's supporters today for my home and my life."