Dave’s journey to us, here at Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire, began when he lost his job and could no longer afford to pay rent, resulting in him losing his flat.
He recalls, “I slept on the streets for a while, but I saw how unsafe it was, so I decided to stay hidden and live along the canal banks, sleeping under bridges.”
Facing cold nights and hunger, Dave’s situation became increasingly difficult: “Nowadays, when I hear someone say, ‘I’m starving,’ I think, ‘You don’t know what that really means. You have no idea what it’s like to go four or five days without eating.’”
After months of rough sleeping in isolation, a chance encounter changed Dave’s life. “One day, there was a fellow on his barge enjoying his holiday. We kept passing each other and chatting. At the end of his holiday, he said, ‘Right, let’s sort you something out.’” With the help of this kind stranger, Dave accessed support from a charity and eventually found his way to us, where he has been living for the past six months.
Dave now feels settled: “It’s so good to have my own room!” he explains. He also finds satisfaction in helping to run our shop on Red Lane in Coventry: “I deal with customers, replace and price items, and keep the stock clean. Being busy suits me; the day goes faster, and my mind stays focused. Then, in the evening, I can relax and think, ‘I deserve this; this is my time now.’”
Although Dave is still contemplating his next steps, he currently feels content. “I’m taking time to stop and think about what I actually need in life: a room, food, some spending money, and a work routine. For many people, that might not be enough, but for now, it is for me. I feel welcome and safe.”
Find out more about our charity or read more first-hand accounts of homelessness.