I came to Emmaus Gloucestershire in March 2023, and it’s helped me a lot. It’s given me the stepping stone I needed to sort my head out and now I feel ready to move on.
Before Emmaus, I was homeless. I was sofa surfing for a while, but before that, I was out on the street. My head wasn’t in a good place. Lots led to me becoming homeless, but it was mostly drugs.
I started smoking when I was in school because my mates were doing it, then I saw that they were smoking weed, so I wanted to do that too. When they all started going out, so did I. It was never weed I struggled with though, it was other drugs. They were probably some of the worst decisions I made and at 16, I got kicked out.
My life is now back on track. It probably should have happened years ago, but that doesn’t matter as it’s happening now, and life is getting better at Emmaus Gloucestershire.
Life at Emmaus Gloucestershire
Emmaus Gloucestershire helps take people off the street, and you can stay as long as you need. Rather than someone telling you when you’ve got to move on and adding that pressure, Emmaus creates a situation for you where it’s comfortable with no pressure. I’ve been in homeless hostels, and they push you out quicker. I didn’t have anything to do during the day in the hostels either, except for drugs.
At Emmaus Gloucestershire, I’ve done everything in the shops, from being on the van to doing the tills. I struggle with anxiety daily so I enjoy being in the Nailsworth shop as it is smaller, so I can gauge what’s going on easier.
The biggest thing Emmaus has supported me with is my driving lessons. I’d like to pass someday so I can drive to see friends and family. I’ve also done all the e-learning courses Emmaus Gloucestershire offers and added them to my CV.
I’ve eventually put my head on the right path. Emmaus has made me realise I could do better than I was by helping to put everything into perspective for me, they made me realise that I am better than this – and when I say ‘this,’ I mean myself – that I am better than what I have been. I don’t know exactly how they did it, but something they said got through to me and changed my perspective.
Next Steps
I’m 32 now and want to start earning some money, go on holidays, find someone to settle down with, do normal things! I’m hoping to stay in the Gloucester area and will be looking for jobs around here. I have the security of being able to stay at Emmaus for three months once I get a job, so I can save up and find somewhere to live.