Names changed to protect identity.
I’ve decided to change my name because I have family that I wouldn’t want reading this. I’m 48 years old and grew up in Greater Manchester, where I lived my whole life. I lived with my parents until I was about 16 and then I moved in with my nana and grandad on and off for a few years.
I ended up going to jail when I was 18 because I assaulted someone in a pub. I really didn’t like prison; I think the thing I hated the most was my freedom being taken away, but I understand and accepted why it happened. I got 12 months, but I ended up serving six.
After I got out of prison, I lived with friends and girlfriends on and off but got into a bad crowd and started growing weed. I was making big money and moved in with a guy who was an alcoholic with lots of issues and we used to row over money. We ended up getting into an argument and he kicked me out of the house.
For a while, I stayed in hotels, but the money started to run out as I was eating out loads as well as paying for my room. I started staying with friends; I’d offer to pay for takeaways and a few beers, but when the money became really tight, I couldn’t do it anymore. That’s when friends stopped answering their phones and helping me out. I went to stay with my sister, but she has three kids and that’s hard enough without having your brother kipping on your sofa. That’s when I first slept on the streets.
I remember the first time I slept out on the streets: it was horrible. I’ve always been a ‘Jack the lad’ so I thought I’d be okay. The worst part was needing to go to the toilet; it’s okay if you just need a wee but the other stuff was a whole different story. I’d stay on park benches and then in the morning I’d go to a day centre where I could have a shower and something to eat. Every day I was so tired as I wasn’t able to sleep much during the night because I was worried someone would attack or mug me. That being said, some of the kindest people I’ve ever met are homeless. I met so many people who would share their sandwich with me or give you their last £1.
Finding Emmaus
The day centre ended up helping me get a place at Emmaus Salford. When I first came here, I was over the moon. When you’re used to roughing it on a park bench and then you get your own room, bed, food, heating etc, it’s amazing.
A typical day for me at Emmaus goes like this: I wake up around 8am, have a couple of coffees and then get to work for the day. I’ve done a bit of everything since coming here: working on the vans, cleaning, helping in the pantry and more recently I’ve been working in the shops on the tills.
I’ve also been thinking a lot more about my future and what I want to do. I’ve been chatting to the staff here about getting onto an access course for counselling, as I think in the future I’d like to become a counsellor and help others. I keep thinking about all the experience I have had and how it could actually be used to help people who have been in a similar situation, so that’s what I’m looking into at the moment.
To someone who’s struggling like I was, I would say “Give Emmaus a go, it takes the pressure off you and gives you breathing space to think about what you want out of life and your future.”
I’m grateful to be here at Emmaus Salford and thankful for the opportunities I now have.