“I can’t thank them enough for what they have done.”

A Wigan pensioner has spoken about facing homelessness after a hospital stay - and how her life was turned around.

Jean, who does not want to share her surname, could no longer stay where she was living shortly after being discharged from hospital following gallbladder surgery.

But the 78-year-old received help from Wigan Council’s homelessness team, who worked with partners in the NHS to find Jean somewhere to stay.

She said being given a new apartment in one of the council’s sheltered accommodation sites was like “winning the lottery”.

Jean said: “I am just absolutely thriving here.

“Anyone who is homeless, they need to get to Wigan Council, they can’t fail. I can’t thank them enough for what they have done.

“They have saved my life because I had visions of being on the streets, and I hope more people get the help I got.”

Since moving into her new home, Jean has made friends, many of whom donated furniture to help her settle in.

“I was welcomed from day one,” she said. “I’ve made friends for life, everybody has been so kind.”

The residents regularly take part in activities organised by council staff at the sheltered accommodation, including coffee mornings, bingo and parties.

Jean also goes out for Sunday lunch with her new friends and is even planning a trip to watch Jersey Boys in Manchester.

She said: “I might be 78 but I feel so much younger. I am so happy, so secure, I am enjoying my life now.”

Jean was among the small proportion of older people in the borough who are at risk of becoming homeless due to a variety of reasons.

Coun Susan Gambles, the council’s cabinet member for housing and welfare and chairman of Wigan Borough Homelessness Partnership Board, said: “Jean has been through so much, and I am so pleased she is now happy and comfortable in her new home.

“Helping to end homelessness should be everyone’s business. We came together for Jean and I want to thank everyone involved for helping to make this happen.”

Through the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030, Wigan Council committed to preventing homelessness, increasing affordable housing provision and giving support to those in need.

To find out more about homelessness support in Wigan visit the council’s website.