A former City trader who swapped the high-stakes world of finance for a life of service has devoted more than 600 hours to helping homeless people rebuild their lives. Gavin Tait, 55, has been a volunteer counsellor at the Hope Housing, Training and Support (HTS) charity in Bournemouth for the past two-and-a-half years.
From Trading Floors to Talking Therapies
Gavin explained his dramatic career shift, stating he felt his work in finance was "sucking at my soul." He initially sought a more tangible connection to life, which led him to start a small cider company on his land in north Dorset. It was there, while tending to his apple trees, that villagers began to open up to him about their personal struggles. "Being outside and something about trees seemed to create a space for a kind of eco-therapy," he recalled. This experience was the catalyst for his decision to retrain as a counsellor, seeking work that aligned with his personal values.
Providing Crucial Support at Hope Housing
To complete his training, Gavin needed to accumulate professional hours and found the perfect fit at Hope Housing. The charity, based in St Swithuns Road South, offers safe accommodation and a comprehensive programme of support for former rough sleepers. Gavin provides free weekly counselling sessions to residents, many of whom have backgrounds involving violent upbringings, abuse, and addiction. "I hear some truly harrowing stories — it’s not for the faint-hearted," he admitted, but he also highlighted the "incredible type of resilience" shown by the people he supports. His work has been instrumental in helping dozens of individuals address deep-seated trauma and develop essential coping skills, security, and self-worth.
A New Chapter and a Lasting Legacy
In December, Gavin will conclude his volunteer role at Hope. Come January 2026, he will embark on advanced training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) while working with the NHS Steps to Wellbeing service. He describes his time at Hope as "one of the most rewarding experiences of my life" and hopes his story will inspire other trainee counsellors to volunteer their skills. Lisa Everett, a Director and Counsellor at Hope Housing, praised his contribution, saying, "We are incredibly grateful to Gavin for his hard work and commitment... He has been immensely helpful, particularly to people requiring psychological support due to childhood trauma."
