Ahead of World Homeless Day (10 October) a man who lost his home and job following a relationship breakdown, is sharing his experience and thanking our homelessness charity Emmaus Village Carlton for helping to turn his life around.
A few years ago, TJ (now 52) found himself with nowhere to live, having split from his partner: “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. I quickly lost my job as a builder too: it all just crumbled away. Rough sleeping wasn’t easy. It was dangerous and I saw a lot of horrible things. I started using drugs to seek some comfort and block everything out.”
TJ eventually reached out for help and in December 2020 we offered him a place at our community near Carlton, including accommodation and support: “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 I’m proud to say that I’m now completely clean.”
Emmaus Village Carlton has rooms open to those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Our charity, based near Carlton, offers up to 42 people a home for as long as they need it, with daily support. To gain work experience, people work five days a week in our community, including helping to run the charity’s shops and bistro, driving to collect and deliver furniture, and assisting with gardening and domestic tasks.
TJ has worked to get new qualifications and has started volunteering locally: “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 also go out to help rough sleepers in Northampton and Wellingborough with a team from the charity – we’re all people who’ve been homeless and we volunteer to give something back.”
“Looking to the future, 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 given me a chance to refocus. I can see clearly and I’m looking forward to the next chapter.”
If you have been inspired by TJ’s story and want to help, find out how you can support us.
If you or someone you know could be helped by Emmaus Village Carlton, contact us on 01234 720826 and ask to speak to a member of the Support Team. To read the criteria for joining the community and to apply, visit our Get Support section.