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I would never have believed it, but living rough was just a way of life for me. Stuff happened which I couldn’t control. Every day was much the same as the last. I would wander around the areas I know. There were a few places I could bed down for the night – behind some bushes, in an old building or a doorway – and I had my spots for begging.  Some people were trouble and I tried to steer clear. And I avoided anyone in authority – best to trust no one. Sometimes my head was in a real mess. I know I was difficult to be around, and I felt the whole world was against me.

One freezing night in January I was feeling really rough. Someone found me and put me in temporary accommodation. The next day I was told to come down to the drop-in at Urban Outreach. I’d heard they do a good job helping people get housed. I thought they would find it difficult for me as I was blacklisted by some landlords. But Street Life managed to find me somewhere! And not only that, they made sure I had decent clothing, food and toiletries.

But not long after I got a roof over my head, I began to struggle again. I had got so used to sleeping under the stars, that I got stir crazy.  I wasn’t looking after myself or the flat. I started falling out with my neighbours.  But Street Life didn’t drop me. They continued to visit – helping me to clean the flat when it got on top of me. After so long on the streets, I wasn’t in good health.  Again, Street Life stepped in and got me registered with a doctor.  I was still struggling though.

Then, on one of their regular visits, my Street Life worker found me collapsed on the floor in a bad way. The next thing I remember I was in hospital. Apparently, it was touch and go for a few weeks. But my worker continued to visit me and give me hope that someone cared.  I was very confused and disorientated, but when my health started to improve, I really appreciated that there was someone there for me.

Before I left hospital, my worker arranged for me to go into a nursing home. I had never been looked after like that in my whole life. But my worker continued to support me – getting me a bus pass and other things I would need to get back on my feet and settled. There were still times when I would feel quite low, and anger would get the better of me. I would go off smoking and drinking. I ended up in A&E again. I just couldn’t seem to help myself – but Street Life never gave up on me. When I was well enough to leave hospital once again, they got me into a B&B.

Then a few weeks later they got me my own flat. It was the new start I always dreamed of. They got it all furnished nicely for me. At last, I feel my life has turned a corner for good.  I can’t put into words what Urban Outreach has done for me. They saved my life!