Every day is different at Emmaus. Sometimes I’m at Emmaus Preston Megastore. While I’m on the shop floor I get to engage with customers and make sales, especially on Sundays. I’m sometimes the keyholder and I’m responsible for opening up and cashing up at the Megastore. I also putting dockets on the system, to free up other companions to perform their roles. I go round the shop floor and check items are being taken care of. I check they’re in the right order for each day they are being delivered. It’s busy, so having the right boots on is a godsend.
When I’m at Emmaus Preston Fishergate Charity Store people come in and say “hello”: customers and people who donate. I’ve made lots of friends. I love meeting people from all cultures and backgrounds.
Making progress
While I’ve been at Emmaus, I’ve done English and maths courses. As a Responsible Companion (companion that’s responsible for others), I needed a health and safety certificate to do jobs in the kitchen, so I’ve done that. I’ve also done warehouse training, customer service and first aid. I am a fire marshall for Emmaus; a few of us did that course.
When I’ve completed a course, I feel great. Having come from a time, where no one had time for you, it was so different from being here now. If it’s something I’ve not done before, I will try it. I’ve been trying to get my forklift truck licence; if I get that skill, I feel like I could do that forever and that it would help me get a job.
Financial difficulties in the past
I used to have a flat in Preston and a studio with drums. Back in the day, I had no money problems at all. All of a sudden, bedroom tax came out [a reduction in housing benefit for vacant rooms] and it felt like a crime to have more than one bedroom.
My first and only bill was £600. I didn’t get bills like that and not pay them, but I refuted it and the housing association took me to court. The first time, it was because they wanted to be able to kick me out at any time. The second time, it was to get the money I owed. If you couldn’t pay, they evicted you.
Sleeping in a car showroom
I wasn’t working then. At that point, I had nowhere to go. I put my guitars at a friend’s house and someone I knew put me up in a car showroom. It had a toilet with a shower they had put in, and there was a little kitchen.
I did a lot of sofa surfing and I slept outside, which was horrible. When I woke up the first night, I thought I must have slept without knowing it. It was very cold. I also had a friend who had a black cab. Sometimes, he would drive me around until the early hours of the morning.
Living on the streets
My routine involved going to a fast-food restaurant to charge my phone and use the toilets to have a shave. I was always well groomed, so you might not have known I was homeless. Then I’d go to the train station. Sometimes I would pass out asleep, then wake up and check to see if someone had robbed me.
After that I’d go to the docks. There was a bench and I’d take a piece of my belt and put it through the bar of my bike so if anyone tried to steal my bike it would pull me and I’d wake up. I did that for a few nights. One time, I remember going through the bins for vouchers a fast-food place would give away to get a free brew, and a lady I knew saw me; I was so embarrassed.
To have a life doing this every night, just didn’t sink in. It was almost like living in a prison. I couldn’t play the guitars I loved, I couldn’t do anything. At night, it made me want to cry. How I had come to this?
Homeless at Christmas
On Christmas Day, I thought some of the stores run by people who didn’t celebrate would be open, but everything was closed. I thought I’d try to find sanctuary and went to the docks. I literally rode around on a bike, perpetual motion, where could I ride to now?
It was so cold. My hands really feel the temperature and they felt 10 degrees colder. It made me want to cry; I literally couldn’t hold anything. It seemed like everyone else was with their families on Christmas Day.
I would usually go to a day centre in Preston for homeless people, but I couldn’t stay for too long, and also a church from 2-6 o’clock. But it was a policeman who recommended me for Emmaus.
Finding a home with Emmaus
I’ve been at Emmaus now since 2017. When I was told I could move in, I almost broke down. It has been a sanctuary and I have grown with the place. A lot of the people living here are nice. I think people have exploited kindness in the past. I hold the Head of Support and the Director here in high esteem. I can speak to my support worker like I would speak to my family. I don’t think I would have got into Emmaus, if I hadn’t met her first.
If there’s one thing I’d like people to take away from my story, it’s that if Emmaus can help you, they will do. Once you’re here, it’s up to you to make that change. Emmaus is the place that allows a person the chance to fix themselves.
To find help from homelessness for yourself or someone you know, please go to Get Support for application details and further information.