[Trigger warning: reference to feeling suicidal]
I was homeless but now thanks to Emmaus Village Carlton, my life’s back on track.
A few years ago, my relationship broke down and I had to move out of our home. I’m originally from another country, so I had no relatives around to help me and I didn’t have many friends.
I ended up homeless and living on the streets of Northampton. With no address, I quickly lost my job as a builder too. It all just crumbled away.
I was rough sleeping for over two years; it wasn’t easy. It was dangerous and I saw a lot of horrible things. It affected me a lot and eventually it got to the point that I was suicidal.
One thing led to another, and I started misusing drugs and got into trouble with the police. For me, and I think for many homeless people, using drugs was a way to seek some comfort and block everything out.
I sometimes managed to find a sofa to sleep on in someone’s house, but that came with a price. The people there were often involved in drugs, so you had to go out and work for them, in exchange for the roof over your head.
Positive change
One day back in November 2020, I met some guys from the Emmaus Village Carlton Rucksack Stomp team who visit Northampton every week to bring supplies and offer advice to rough sleepers. They’re companions who’ve been homeless themselves, so they know what it’s like. They offered to help me apply to get a place here and soon afterwards I moved in.
I couldn’t have asked for any place better than Emmaus. I’ve got my own room and importantly I feel safe here. The team supported me through my drug addiction; I’ve worked hard and now I’m proud to say that I’m completely clean. It’s good that we have a strict ban on illegal drugs here and we get randomly drug tested. It’s also helpful that Emmaus Village Carlton is in the countryside, away from city living.
The work routine helps me keep busy, which is good. I like people so I enjoy serving customers in our shops and bistro, but I’m happy doing anything really.
Working towards the future
Emmaus has offered me many training opportunities and I’ve pretty much said yes to everything. I’ve done a PAT testing course and I’ve got my forklift truck certificate, food handling and allergens certificates and a warehousing qualification.
Every week I volunteer with the Rucksack Stomp team; we go out to Northampton and Wellingborough to help rough sleepers. That’s my way of giving something back, for all the help I’ve received.
Looking to the future, when I’m ready I’d like to get a job and my own place. I want to go back into the building and construction trade, but now I also have new skills to fall back on too.
Coming to Emmaus has opened up my mind again. It’s given me a chance to refocus. I can see clearly and I’m looking forward to the next chapter – but for now this is home, until I’m ready to fly.