Lost but Not Defeated: How I Escaped My Abusers and Reclaimed My Life
I was only sixteen when everything fell apart. For as long as I could remember, home was a scary place. My stepdad was always angry, always watching. His hands were heavy, and his eyes had this look that made me feel like I was always in trouble, even when I hadn’t done anything wrong. My […]
Breaking Free: A Journey from Home to Homelessness
I never thought homelessness would be my reality. No one dreams about ending up on the streets, but there I was. It all started with home, a place that was supposed to be my sanctuary but felt like a battlefield. Every day was unpredictable—sometimes quiet and tense, other times loud with shouting, slamming doors, and […]
From Career to Couch: Navigating Life with ME and the Struggles of Sofa Surfing
Before I got struck down by ME, I was doing alright for myself as a management accountant. I’d worked my way up, was a postgraduate student, and had landed some decent jobs with big companies up North. Life was on track, or so I thought, with my career going just the way I’d planned. Then […]
John’s Journey: From Homelessness and Addiction to Hope and Healing
My name is John, and I’ll be 54 next month. I’ve lived in Hatfield since 1972, and I’ve been homeless since 2015. No one chooses to be homeless, but sometimes life takes unexpected turns. My mental health has always been a challenge, and I’ve struggled with various addictions that I’m still battling today. While I’ve […]
From Rock Bottom to Redemption: A Bricklayer’s Journey Through Addiction, Loss, and Recovery
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 […]
James’ Journey: From Homelessness to Hope and Resilience
My name is James, and I’m 56 years old. Football has always been a passion of mine, and I’ve been a loyal Arsenal supporter for as long as I can remember. I also enjoy fishing, though it’s become more challenging recently because of arthritis in my leg. Despite the pain, I still find peace in […]
From Struggle to Strength: My Journey Through Homelessness and Boxing
The most challenging time in my life was when I was adopted. I didn’t get fed properly, didn’t have haircuts, and there was no one there to make sure I was alright. When you’re adopted, you need someone to look out for you, and I didn’t have that. Now, I’m homeless. I was in Cheshire, […]
Rebuilding After Loss: My Journey Through Homelessness and Resilience
A year ago, I faced a major turning point in my life when I lost my job. For six years, I had worked in a warehouse, a job I had grown accustomed to and relied on for my livelihood. Before that, I had another warehouse job as an operator, so my experience in this field […]
Finding Stability and Purpose: Mark’s Journey to Recovery
My name is Mark, and I’m 47 years old. I’m currently living in a house that I managed to secure on my own. Along the way, I met Tom, who has been a tremendous help in guiding me toward a new direction in life and bringing much-needed structure back into my daily routine. I actively […]
A Journey of Resilience: Overcoming Addiction and Homelessness
I’m 33, turning 34 this year. I’m a recovering addict, now in my fifth year of sobriety. About 15 years ago, I lost my flat in Hatfield and found myself homeless. I decided to move to Great Yarmouth, but that decision only deepened my struggles. In hindsight, I wish I had stayed in Hertfordshire, but […]
