I was living in a hostel in Milton Keynes because I got thrown out of my house and it was a really hard time for me. I heard about Emmaus through the Salvation Army I think, and I got referred here about eight or nine years ago and stayed for four years. I left when I got a place of my own but around 16 months ago my landlord was moving out and leaving his property, so I had to find somewhere and this was my first port of call, having stayed here before. I had a couple of nights on the streets but it was summertime so it wasn’t as bad as it could have been; if it was during the wintertime I wouldn’t like to be on the streets. I phoned up and was given a place here again.
Life at Emmaus Village Carlton
It’s a friendly atmosphere and the work gets you out of bed in the morning and is something useful to do. I like working and I like keeping busy. I got a forklift truck license which I didn’t have before I came here. I also had my driving license sorted out which was quite an issue because I’d changed my name by deed poll and the staff here sorted it all out for me. It’s very handy because I drive my friends into Bedford every Saturday to Sainsbury’s and Aldi to get some shopping – I normally have a car full of people from the community.
The staff at Emmaus also sorted out my bank account which really made a difference. Before that point I was on benefits and they can pay your money into a phone but if you happen to lose that phone, then you’ve lost whatever money you had paid in, so it wasn’t ideal.
Working for Emmaus
Most of the time I work as part of the furniture team which involves moving furniture around. It’s a lot of physical exercise which is good for me. Physical work does keep me happy and busy and it makes the day go quickly; sitting there doing nothing makes the day go slowly.
It’s important for me to be active and on my feet because five years ago I got a blood clot in my right leg, so walking was extremely difficult; it used to take me about half an hour to walk about 100 yards. I went to lots of doctors but they really didn’t do anything, and I went to the hospital as well. In the end I bought a foot support you put under your foot and that completely cured it. It took about three to six months to clear it and it’s good to be active again.
Planning for the future
Both of my kids are in Milton Keynes so I want to go back there soon. I’ll get a moving-on package* and go from there. I’m looking to move back into a hostel and then when I turn 60 the council will provide me with a place to live.
The impact of Emmaus
I’m not a depressive person or anything so I don’t really need the level of support that they give to companions with many different issues. For those that need it, Emmaus is a very good stabilizing place for people when they first move in, who might have been on drink or drugs. They don’t get enough money to spend on their addictions so they’ve got to be sensible every week. They’re not allowed to do drugs because they’re tested here so it does stabilize people.
For me, I have found it quite easy to fit in and get on with my work. Emmaus has been very supportive and has been there for me when I needed help.
* Our moving-on ‘solidarity pack’ is a payment given to our companions so they can spend it in our shop on home essentials, white goods and furniture, to set themselves up in their new home. This package is not just for ex-companions, we also take applications from professionals in social work, local authorities, carers and support workers, to assist the people they are caring for.