Derby Homeless Couple Reject Hostels, Opt for Park Camp Amid Service Failures
A Derby couple who conquered heroin addiction have stated their preference for living in a tent in a city park over engaging with local homeless hostels, claiming the support system is "very, very broken." Alan Cook, 39, and Hannah Ali, 32, have been camping since November, having found the environment within city hostels to be detrimental to their recovery.
The couple, who returned to Derby after some years away, expressed dismay at encountering the same individuals in hostels who were there a decade prior. Alan Cook alleged that people were "trapped in that same position for 12 years," an indictment of the long-term efficacy of the services.
Derby Homes, the council's housing management company, maintains its focus is on "helping people access accommodation, maintain recovery, and move forward into longer-term housing." However, Ms Ali recounted experiencing "a severe breakdown due to the people that were living there and my past catching up with me" after attempting to utilise hostel accommodation.
Mr Cook, a trained horticulturist, attributed his past heroin use to profound personal trauma following the loss of a child in 2012. He and Ms Ali embarked on a two-year rehabilitation, including medication-assisted treatment, before settling in Derby, having been rejected by other councils. They found local hostels to be a "reminder of their past lives," frequently populated by active drug users.
In November 2025, the couple opted to camp in a Derby park, utilising common land rights, though they face ongoing eviction proceedings from Derby City Council, with their next court appearance scheduled for early June. They hope to secure mainstream accommodation by then.
Mr Cook also criticised the financial contributions requested from working hostel tenants, noting that camping has allowed him to save all his earnings from gardening work, which he advertises from his camp. Derby Homes defended these contributions, stating they "help sustain services and ensure continued support" while fostering financial management towards independent living.
Despite the challenges, the couple have saved enough for a flat deposit, but face difficulties securing a landlord without references. Mr Cook urged Derby City Council to scrutinise its "homeless provision" to ensure it genuinely assists individuals. Derby Homes stated it values the perspectives of those with lived experience and encourages rough sleepers to engage with outreach services to explore support options.
Figures released by Derby Homes indicate a notable increase in rough sleeping in the city, with 631 individuals recorded spending at least one night rough in 2025, up from 473 in 2024 and 290 in 2023.
