My Story
Testimonials from a few of those that S2H has helped:
This is BM's story in his own words.
I became homeless in the summer of 2010, I had everything going for me a nice room, my dog and an ok life. I had a drink and drug problem but I thought I had it under control, how wrong could I be. My landlord kicked me out and I was homeless, all I had was two bags of clothes I had lost everything that meant anything to me, my parents, my family and my dignity and pride. I tried to get out of Harlow, went and sofa surfed with a mate in Walthamstow. I tried to sort my life out up there but it didn't go according to plan, I needed to hit rock bottom and felt safe hitting it in Harlow.
I'm a Harlow boy born and bred so I felt half safe being homeless in Harlow so I came back. Went to council, hit a brick wall, they didn't want to help. I didn't fit any of their criteria, in their eyes it was my own fault I was in this situation. I'm a grown man, got low, very low, had enough money to get in the Oasis hotel for a few days to think about my next step. I googled "HOMELESS IN HARLOW" on my laptop and Streets2Homes came up the only hit, so I rang them best move I had made in my life.
I made an appointment to see a member of staff at Streets"homes. I couldn't believe there was someone that cared, I had given up. I walked up to the front door scared but as I got into the building I could sense they were there to help, big smiles and niceness. I was offered a cup of tea and a chat with a member of staff, couldn't believe this place was here for people in my situation. How glad was I. They gave me a tent, 2 bags of food and some clean clothes, how generous.
I started to visit the centre regulary, felt at home, got a lovely hot meal for 50p, what a bargain, always treated as a human, a safe place to be for a few hours. Strees2Homes got me sorted with a solicitor, still council wouldn't help, so it was down to me to get sorted and I didwith the help of Streets2Homes. I was lucky the summer of 2010 was a lovely summer, I spent 7 nights sleeping on the streets, I'm not going to lie I was scared, it was horrible. I bumped into a man who let me pitch my tent up in his garden, lucky again! I spent my days at the centre or the town park then crashed in friends garden. Then one day my luck changedfor the better Streets2Homes said they had a room all I had to do was pay into a deposit scheme and they would cover my deposit and I would pay them back, for people that didn't know me from Adam I felt blessed, I wasn't going to ruin this chance I had been given. So I got my room, it's a starting block, still looking for a job, but lost so much self confidence I felt I had no chance so I disappeared, stopped using the centre and felt sorry for myself but I got a visit from the new staff at Streets2Homes and they helped me so much. I started to love life again, started going to the centre and by February 2011 I had made so many positive steps thanks to S2H's . I spoke to the manager Kerrie Eastman and started to volunteer working on the front desk and cooking meals in the kitchen. Within a couple of weeks Kerrie had put me forward for a NVQ in Kitchen Services, wow me re learning. The centre had employed a new Training Coordinator she started a job club and a computer club every Tuesday and Thursday respectively. I started attending every week eventually I got a job and learnt how to use a computer.
I started getting into a routine , would be at the centre everyday socialising, I felt at home again and stopped feeling sorry for myself. I have made amends with my family and actually want to get up and live a normal life, I felt so much better within myself and it was all thanks to S2H's. I am now a volunteermost days and happy in my life, I'm giving a little bit back to the only people that were there for me in my time of need. The organisation is brilliant and should be praised for all the work and support they do for the homeless people in Harlow, which there are many. It is a brilliant centre and has caring professional staff that are there for everyone, we are all treated the same. the centre brings happiness and smiles to the faces of the Harlow homeless. Without them we would have nothing and nobody and I wouldn't be where I am today. I am truly grateful for their continued support and help.
After suffering abuse from my ex-partner, I had a breakdown and ended up in the Derwent Centre at Harlow Hospital.
When I came out of hospital I had nowhere to go and ended up sleeping on my mum’s settee. My experience had left me feeling alone, I couldn’t eat and couldn’t stop shaking. I sought help from other agencies, one of which suggested I contact Streets2Homes. With my heart in my hands I walked through the gates to the centre. A volunteer and Patsy, the centre manager, sat me down and talked to me. I could not believe that total strangers could be so understanding.
Streets2Homes put me in touch with the Women’s Refuge where I was housed. I can never thank the staff enough for all the on-going help and support they have given me. The daily help with my eating difficulties, my lack of confidence, my trust and my well being has been a lifeline. They have supported me every step of the way, enabling me to become the person I once was, but thought I could never be again.
I now try to help at the centre as a volunteer, knowing how others feel who need love and compassion as well as practical help.
Never judge a book by the cover. Outwardly we all look fine, but inside we all crave and need family, friends and someone to talk to. You cannot put a price on that.
Hi there. I’m TB and this is my story.
I looked after my wife when she had cancer and when it came to her final days it hit me like a hammer. Me and my stepson could not get on with each other any more, so I went back to Harlow to see, and be closer to, my family, but they had moved to another town. I started to sleep rough and had to lie on the grass as there was nowhere else to go. Then some people found me and took me to the centre called Streets2Homes where they took care of me. At the centre someone set up a tent for me so that I could keep dry instead of sleeping on the ground. Within a few months I was asked if I would like to have a room. I was over the moon with excitement and very happy that there was a light out there to help me. That was in July so I have been safe and secure since then.
I offered to do some volunteering at the centre, which is good as it gives me my dignity back and helps me to give something back to them for all the help I’ve received.
This is my story, thank you for taking the time to read it.
TB