I used to stay in a huge multistorey car park with several floors and sleep on the ground. Because of the way my head was, what I was doing was reckless, but I didn’t really care what happened to me. I wish I had known about Emmaus back then.
On a typical day when I was homeless, it was very chaotic. I didn’t know what I was doing from one day to the next. I don’t remember how I ate. I managed to get by just about. For a month or two, I’d go back to my foster parents, then I’d run away again.
I had a lot of mental health issues and I ended up in a hostel. That was the lowest point of my life. My decision-making was not at the level it is now. I just wanted to be independent. I was 21 and I wasn’t very good at communicating at the time.
I decided I didn’t want to be in Hertfordshire and ended up in the Lake District, where I worked for one month, but quit the job there and went to the Highlands as a housekeeper, but I quit that too.
I had given up my flat to move, so I applied to Emmaus Glasgow. If it hadn’t have been for Emmaus, I would have been back on the streets again. I didn’t want to wake up in that situation so I’m so grateful that the phone call came so quickly.
How Emmaus has helped me
I found being in Emmaus helps me. I don’t want to go back out on the streets, or go backwards. At one point I did have my own flat, but it was uninhabitable because I let it get in such a state.
I’m autistic and something Emmaus has given me is that I was finally able to get my diagnosis while I’ve been here. I’m able to get things done. Emmaus has helped me gain more self-knowledge.
My support worker has been helping me with routines because as part of my autism is that I struggle with executive functioning. Like with a messy room for example, you’ve got to hoover, dust and change the bed and I’m like, in what order do I do that? My support worker has helped me with things like this and that has been very beneficial. I know I can always ask for things. I’m focusing on one thing at a time because I can find things overwhelming.
Focusing on the positives
Yes, I have my up and downs, but I’m a lot more on an even keel now. I’m focusing on the most important things and focusing on the good things in life, instead of the negatives all the time. I’ve a lot more good things that have happened to me than bad things. If I make one person smile a day, then I’ve made a difference to somebody and that makes me happy.
I count my lucky stars every day that I’ve got a roof over my head, that I’m fed and that I’ve got the opportunities Emmaus has organised for me to go to community groups. I do things at the Women’s Centre now, which is something I’ve never had before.
Emmaus is very empathetic and doesn’t judge. When I got here, it just clicked. There are lovely people who are so friendly.
Helping Emmaus Glasgow
In the shop, I help customers, I keep the floor nice and tidy. I sort through the jewellery, for example. At the community home, I wash up and tidy the kitchen and make it nice and clean and tidy. I like the variety of roles in the shop and the kitchen.
Because the Hamiltonhill Shop is next to the community, I can go to my room if I feel overwhelmed, which is my safe space, where I can take a moment to be calm. Staff understand what I feel comfortable with and what I don’t feel comfortable with.
I help at the soup kitchen because I know what it’s like to be there. In an ideal world, I wish I could help everybody and feel the way I feel here; take everyone’s situation and make it better, but I can’t physically do that. So going out with the soup kitchen volunteers means I’m doing a little bit to help. I love helping people. I love volunteering, so this is my way of giving back.
Thank you to Emmaus Glasgow supporters
Every time a customer comes into the shop or donates a preloved item, they are directly impacting our lives for the better. They are ensuring the wonderful work that Emmaus does can continue, which means I get a second chance at happiness and a life.
Emmaus has changed my life and I don’t know where I’d be, if anywhere, without it. Emmaus saved my life. I want everyone to know about it and, in the future, I want to give back in the same way Emmaus has given to me.
If you are homeless or at risk and would like more information about the support available from Emmaus Glasgow, you can discover how to join our community here and get in touch.