I’m from a small town in Ellesmere Port where everyone knows each other. I went to prison in 1998 for attempted robbery and I got 7 and a half years. I came out in 2003 and moved back to Ellesmere Port. I decided I wanted to get out of there and experience multiculturalism and diversity so I moved to Manchester. I was living on the streets and sofa surfing until I started living at Lancaster House, a homeless shelter in Salford. It’s not the first time I’ve been homeless, in the years after prison I moved around the UK, living on the streets in places like Bristol.
Before the pandemic, I managed to get my own flat in Northenden, Manchester. I was lucky to get it as I’m not originally from Manchester. Most people don’t know this but if you’re not a local person it can be quite hard to get help. Victoria House is supported living for people who have been homeless. You get your own flat but there is staff on-site to support you and there are shared areas too.
A sense of pride
I was really proud of myself when I lived here because I always paid my rent on time meaning that when it was time to leave, I was actually in credit. Whilst I was living at Victoria House the government announced there was going to be a lockdown taking place. For eight weeks I was stuck in my flat and I felt like I was going mad. It was isolating and I felt depressed. As soon as they lifted restrictions, I jumped on the first train down to Bristol to see a friend.
When I was in Bristol we got put into another lockdown. I got a phone call from staff at Victoria House who said they needed me back but as I couldn’t travel, I ended up losing my flat. I was back to square one and devasted.
I got back to Manchester and was sofa surfing again, I knew the council wouldn’t help me out due to what happened, so I decided to try my chances in Liverpool. I was sleeping rough in the city centre and one night, whilst I was at the soup kitchen, someone mentioned Emmaus. I was sleeping in an alcove next to the courts one morning when an outreach team from Whitechapel approached me and took me to their day centre for some food. Emmaus was mentioned again, and they explained what it was and they gave me their number. I called them up and explained I didn’t have any money to get there but they offered to come and get me. Their kindness blew me away.
When I got to Emmaus Merseyside, I was shocked to see how amazing it was.
Everything was state of the art and tidy. Whilst I was living there, I started helping out in the kitchens as I have a bit of experience in catering. After living in Merseyside for a couple of months I decided a change would be good so I moved to Emmaus Dover early this year.
The people at Emmaus Dover were fantastic and I really enjoyed being close to the beach, but I soon started to miss Manchester. Manchester feels like my true home so when I found out they had an Emmaus in Salford I was so happy. I told Debs from Emmaus Dover that I wanted to go home, and she helped me to make arrangements to come back to my favourite place. Emmaus Salford is where I’m currently and everyone has been so welcoming and supportive. They’re helping me to get my own place, well, in a house share which I am really excited about.
I really appreciate all the support Emmaus has given me over the years.
It’s great that you don’t need a local connection to get help – perfect for someone like me who felt like I didn’t really belong in my hometown. When you’re homeless it’s like you haven’t got a life ahead. You can’t really think about anything other than the next couple of minutes in front of you, let alone the future. At Emmaus you have that stability as in you know where you’re sleeping every night, what you’re going to be doing the next day, and if you’re ever struggling you can just reach out and you will get help.
I’m looking forward to the future now, moving into a shared house and being able to have my friends over. I’m in a good place and things are looking up.