I’ve been at Emmaus Hampshire for the past two and a half years, and it has completely turned my life around.
From the Army to the Streets
I was removed from my family home at the age of 13 and placed into care for my own protection. I spent the rest of my childhood in foster homes until I turned 18, when I joined Her Majesty’s Army. Coming from a long line of armed forces – my dad and nearly all my brothers had served -it felt like the natural path for me too.
But just seven weeks in, I was diagnosed with a condition called Functional Neurological Disorder, which causes me to pass out without warning. It ended my hopes of a career in the military almost as soon as it had began. Leaving the army left me devastated. I sofa-surfed for a few weeks before ending up homeless on the streets of Southampton. I slept anywhere I thought was safe, often hidden away in bushes or wooded areas. The change -from the structure of the military to being completely alone with nothing -was brutal. Survival instincts take over quickly.
I’ve never struggled with alcohol or drugs. With my military family background, I was brought up with discipline, loyalty and integrity. To me, drugs are illegal for a reason, and alcohol is just a complete waste of money. On the streets, I saw first-hand the damage addiction causes, which put me off even more.
I asked the council for help several times, but I kept getting nowhere. Eventually, I posted on social media, asking if anyone knew of organisations that could help me. Someone messaged me about Emmaus and sent me a link. I contacted Karen, the community leader at Emmaus Hampshire, and within 48 hours I had moved in.
Finding Stability and New Opportunities
The first six months at Emmaus Hampshire took a bit of adjusting to. After not working for two years, getting back into a routine was a big adjustment; waking up on time, working through the day, and then having free time in the evenings. But once I got through that period, I began to settle into the Emmaus way of life.
Before becoming homeless, I had started a degree in History and Politics with the Open University. When I became homeless, I had no way of continuing, so I had to stop for two years. When I arrived at Emmaus Hampshire and told the support team, they provided me with a laptop and everything I needed to complete my studies. Now, I have a degree in History and Politics – something I never thought I’d be able to finish. To finally achieve it feels unbelievable.
Emmaus has also given me experiences I never imagined. Last year, I joined a solidarity work camp in Lisbon for two weeks, building pig houses. I worked 12 hours a day, five days a week, but also had four days to explore the city. It was my first time on a plane – I stared out the window the whole way, not believing it was real. Plus I recently won the annual Tessa Till Award at Emmaus Hampshire for my excellent customer services and outreach efforts in support of the Community. The award is a trip with two other fellow Companions to Normandy, where we can experience life outside of the UK. It also provides an opportunity to recognise the fallen from WWII and visit an Emmaus Community in France amongst other opportunities during the trip. Until last summer, I had never left the UK and never thought I would, as I simply couldn’t afford it. I’m so looking forward to visiting Normandy, I still can’t quite believe I am actually going!
Looking Ahead
I believe I have the mentality to succeed outside of Emmaus Hampshire, but for now, I don’t see it as an option just yet. I spend my days in the transport office at Emmaus Hampshire, managing logistics – the career path I had originally hoped for in the army. Since being here, I’ve also gained my PAT testing certification, which allows me to check electrical items before they’re sold in our shop. I keep myself busy and in my free time I love watching football matches in the communal lounge with a few other companions.
I’ve fallen in love with Emmaus. It’s such a unique and incredible charity and it really does save lives. I’ve been involved with other charities, both as a beneficiary and as a volunteer, but Emmaus just stands out. From the CEO to the support staff, everyone’s here for the companions and it gives people chances they might never have had otherwise. For me, it’s given me safety, structure and hope again – and for that, I’ll always be grateful.