Jim had spent most of his life in Northern Ireland. But after falling out with his paramilitary group, he faced threats to his life and fled for his safety. He had four hours to pack a bag before the next ferry to England, heading to the only other place he knew—London. He had lived in Camden some years ago, but with little money or support, things turned for the worse, and he ended up homeless. Our services helped Jim get off the streets, giving him a place to recover and a flat where he could begin rebuilding his life.
“I was on the streets for about five or six months. I slept in all kinds of places—an abandoned church, a park, under a railway bridge—wherever I could find shelter.
“It’s brutal. People don’t understand how hard it is. Every night, I was in fear. I would sleep for at most an hour. People mostly left me alone, but I felt in danger.
“The cold was the worst. Being in that sleeping bag on a wet and cold night is lonely and dangerous. It affected my health, and I got seriously ill. Things got so bad that I thought about jumping off a bridge.
“I don’t know how I got through it. I refused to be beaten out of sheer grit and determination.”
Struggling for survival
Routes off the Streets outreach team found Jim. They offered him housing from another charity. Unfortunately, it was in an unfamiliar area and turned out to be unclean.
“I hated that they tried to move me away from the area I knew. I would have had to start over. I’d spent months building a support network in Camden while homeless. I didn’t want that to go to waste.”
Single Homeless Project was able to step in, and we offered him a place at our Camden Rough Sleepers hub. We know how important community is when supporting people out of homelessness.
“I was reluctant to move into a hostel at first. I only agreed because I was shattered and desperately needed a rest. But it was brilliant. I would have been happy to stay there.
I can’t say a bad word about any of the staff. They went above and beyond to support me. Most of all, they made me feel like a human again for the first time in months. They understood the horrific things I had gone through and took the time to listen to and hear my story.
“I can’t say a bad word about any of the staff. They went above and beyond to support me. Most of all, they made me feel like a human again for the first time in months. They understood the horrific things I had gone through and took the time to listen to and hear my story.”
Healing from the past
Jim stayed at the service for two months, taking the rest he needed before we supported him into his own flat.
“I’m now living in a brand-new flat with everything I need—shower, toilet, cooking facilities. And it’s in Camden, exactly where I wanted. With my friends close by, I feel more at home. I’m so glad to have this place, and I can start to build myself up for my life ahead.”
Although Jim is now settled in his flat, the memories of his time on the streets remain. He is still grappling with the mental and physical trauma of sleeping on London’s streets.
“Your health suffers while on the streets. With a rucksack on your back, you could walk 15 or 16 miles a day to find food, water, and a place to wash. You’re always on your feet.
“I still find it difficult to sleep, and even the slightest noises make me jump. While homeless on the streets, you can’t switch off, especially in busy places like Camden; otherwise, you risk your safety. It’s a dangerous place.
“I was one of the lucky ones to find help, but there are so many people out there going through what I did.”
Homelessness is an experience, not a forever—and with the right support, it can be ended.
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