When John arrived at one of our Islington hostels, he had given up hope. After 15 years of rough sleeping, he had lost faith in the support systems meant to help him. He was broken. But with our support, the streets feel like a distant memory, and he is learning to read and write.
“When you’re on the streets, every morning feels the same. I’d wake up after getting three or four hours of sleep and think about how to survive another day. I was lonely and bored. I wasn’t living.”
Yet, after a few months with us, things are looking up for John. With our support and his will, he feels he has a new life. He is ready to put the past behind him.
“I became homeless when my marriage broke down. My wife suddenly kicked me out, and I had nowhere to go. I slept in my car for a couple of years. I stayed in a stairwell. Anywhere with warmth.”
Left behind by the system
Despite his positive outlook, John will never forget how traumatic rough sleeping was.
“It was a living nightmare. The winter was the worst. The weather was cruel. I never used alcohol much or drugs at all, so I felt every moment of it.
“My last winter was the worst ever. I would have three or four jackets on, but the aches and pains from the cold were unbearable. I don’t know how I got through it.”
John tried to get help many times while rough sleeping, but he faced false promises. His illiteracy proved to be an extra barrier to support, too.
“After years of trying, I gave up. There was nothing I could do. Trying to get support stressed me out so much that I would forget about eating.
“I was given a bunch of paper and told to fill them out and come back. But I can’t read or write and struggle to use a computer or phone, so I found it impossible. Even when I asked whether someone could help with the paperwork, I wouldn’t get the support I needed. It felt like nothing was getting done, and I shut myself off.”
Finding hope again
John met Zoe, our Regional Services Manager, on her way to work one day as she passed him on the street. After a few days, John was assessed and moved into one of our Islington services.
“It has been a miracle coming to Single Homeless Project. Changes have happened that I never thought would happen, and they are all good things.
“I have so much time to start my life over. I want to forget the last 15 years and lock the memories in a dungeon. Before, they used to taunt me, but now, they have gone. I’m ready to move on and rebuild.”
Most of all, John is happy about having his days back and can spend his time as he wishes.
I’m looking forward to things in life again. I love music and gardening and recently got the keys to my little garden in the hostel. It has been amazing to spend time outside; it’s so mind-clearing.
John has also begun to learn to read and write, supported by Tracy, one of our Recovery Coordinators.
“Tracy has been amazing. We have one-on-one sessions with each other where she’s helping me. I’m already seeing progress, like writing my name, which is great!”
John’s advice to others who are homeless is to get support before it is too late.
“It’s a frightening, dangerous life. If you get the chance to leave the streets behind, grab it and never look back.”
It may have taken 15 years, but that’s now exactly what John is doing.
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