I’m originally from Kenny (Kensington) in Liverpool and became homeless after I got evicted. I joined Emmaus Merseyside in January 2021 and from where I’ve come from, it feels absolutely amazing to be part of this community. Twelve months before coming to Emmaus I was sleeping rough on the streets. I’ve changed a hell of a lot in that time.
I was made homeless after being evicted from my property. From there I was on the streets for 9 months and it was horrible. I was beaten up, urinated on, had knives pulled on me, robbed – I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
When I was on the streets I got into a hostel for a while. Then some outreach team came and found me but said they couldn’t do anything until after Christmas. It was one of them where I just brushed it under the carpet because I’d heard it all before. Then out of the blue, I got a phone call off the support worker at Emmaus. I came up to Seaforth, seen the community, seen the room and it was unreal – I said yes straight away.
Being part of a community
It was such a big relief and a big weight had lifted off me. I was glad to have my own room and my own shower. It was just amazing and to be honest, I thought it was a dream. It was weird at first because I didn’t know anyone. Within a day though the other companions took me under their wings. It’s just a great community and we all get on together. I’ve never looked back since.
When I first joined, I was put on cleaning duties and then in the garden which I enjoyed. I’m now over at the Charity Superstore sometimes but I prefer to be working in the garden. I enjoy the gardening volunteers and it’s great to have a laugh with them all.
We’re growing all our own produce – plants, vegetables and herbs – which is great. It’s all fresh and we’re now using the stuff we’ve grown in our community kitchen. We’re also selling plants and hanging baskets at our shop.
It’s really good to be growing our own food – it saves going to the shop when you can go outside and pick what you want. Spuds, rhubarb, strawberries – I’ve planted a lot of them and it feels great to be eating what I’ve grown.
Looking to the future
Living with everyone at Emmaus is boss. You can talk to people about your day and have a laugh. The staff team here at Emmaus is brilliant. They’re helping me towards my future goals. I’m waiting to go on some courses as I’m keen to be a support worker, helping people who may be homeless or with addictions. That’s my aim in life, to train and do that.
I volunteer and do outreach off my own back. Each week I go with a group to help people on the streets and have done since I was in the hostel. I won’t turn my back on them because I know what it’s like to be out there with nothing. I’ll spend half an hour speaking to someone and have already helped a few people off the streets.
I never spoke to my family whilst I was homeless but now I’m back in touch with them and feel better in myself. It definitely feels like I’m back to my old self again. I’m just hoping to God this pandemic settles right down and we can all get back to some sort of normality.
To everyone who supports Emmaus, please keep shopping with us and keep the donations coming because it’s helping a really good cause. It’s helping us in here better our lives. At the end of the day, we’ve come from nothing and don’t want to be going back there.
What kept me going when I was on the streets was an image in a doorway of Mo Salah in a ‘never give up’ t-shirt. I’ve always believed in that message and believe in myself. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel. It’s good to dream and hopefully one day you’ll get the help you need to make that dream come true.