I am a bricklayer by trade, and I’ve been dealing with drug addiction for most of my life. For a long time, I managed to keep things together as a functioning addict, balancing my work with my addiction. But everything took a devastating turn when my partner, whom I was deeply attached to, took his own life. That loss shattered me, and my life started to unravel quickly. I ended up in the hospital with sepsis, a severe infection that nearly took my life, and from there, things only got worse—I found myself homeless, without any stability or support. It was an incredibly dark and difficult period.

Through a friend, I was introduced to Laura, who was just starting her own support initiative at the time. She had just one house available for people in need, and she offered me a place to stay. That offer was a crucial turning point for me, giving me a chance to begin rebuilding my life, even though the journey was far from easy.

My struggles are ongoing because sepsis left me with lasting health issues. The infection led to complications like blood clots and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These health problems have kept me in and out of the hospital multiple times, and managing them has become a significant part of my daily life.

Despite these challenges, I’m trying to take steps forward. I’m currently involved in a mentorship programme where I help manage the house I’m living in and take care of the garden. It gives me a sense of purpose and responsibility, something I’ve been missing for a long time. I also hope to return to work as a bricklayer when my health allows it. In addition, I’m planning to start a counselling course at college. I believe that my experiences, as tough as they’ve been, could help others who are going through similar struggles.

I was homeless for about a year, and during that time, my addiction was so consuming that I didn’t fully process the severity of my situation. When you’re caught up in drug use, it’s easy to lose sight of how far you’ve fallen and the impact it has on your life. During that period, I faced a lot of prejudice. Even if I tried to maintain a certain appearance, people could still see that I wasn’t a “normal” person in their eyes. They judged me based on my circumstances, and it was a harsh reality to face.

Looking back, I realize how much I’ve been through and how far I still have to go. But I’m determined to keep moving forward, to rebuild my life, and to use my experiences to help others who might be facing similar battles.