Underage British actor Jack Veal made a public plea for help after leaving home, eventually prompting UK social services to find a solution.
Veal, known for his role as Kid Loki in the first season of the Marvel series “Loki,” and for performances in series including Tin Star, Call the Midwife, and The Peripheral, opened up about his difficulties in a video on Dec. 1.
“Hi. I’m a famous actor, I’m 17, and I’m homeless,” he said, shocking fans.
“I haven’t mentioned much about what’s been going on in my life, but I think it’s time to reveal the truth,” he said. “Without delving too much into the details, I was abused at home. It was physical violence, emotional abuse, and etcetera. I didn’t have a very good upbringing.”
He shared he has been dealing with various mental health issues.
“I have autism, ADHD, and am being screened for bipolar and psychosis.”
After leaving home, he found himself unable to stay with his grandparents due to his grandfather being terminally ill. Veal said that he spoke to social services but was denied help, which left him no choice but to sleep in the streets.
“I am currently sleeping in a trailer that has smashed-in windows, is unsafe, and is two hours away from my work, which means I struggle to get to work every day.”
He asked his fans to spread the message. “You don’t have to pay me or anything,” he added.
The video received an outpouring of support, with commenters expressing their well wishes, giving advice on shelters, and several offering him to stay at their house.
In a follow-up video, Veal thanked friends for letting him stay at their place but asked viewers to keep spreading the message.
“The objective here is to get help from the people who are meant to provide it: social services,” he said.
The following day Veal, visibly relieved, announced he’d just gotten a call from social services inviting him for an appointment to discuss placing him in foster care.
“I don’t know what you guys have done, but it’s really helped me. They’re taking action now,” he said. “God bless you all.”
However, this was not the end of the actor’s tribulations. At the meeting, Veal was told to return to the parental home.
“They don’t believe home’s unsafe, despite the evidence I’ve given them,” he said.
Social services did agree to put him on a list for foster care, but it could take a few weeks—Veal feared even multiple months—for a spot to open up.
On the evening of Dec. 4, Veal said that Social Services had labeled his case an “emergency,” and he’d been given shelter at a foster home.
“I’ve finally gotten a placement. And it’s amazing,” he said, crying from relief as he thanked all those who helped him along the way.