Rhythms of Life - Helping the homeless

About eight months ago my precious daughter passed away due to critical illness. It was a very difficult time during that period, especially after my partner leaving me.

I went into depression – consuming alcohol quite often, which led me to losing both my job and my flat. I wasn’t able to cope and began drinking too much.

I put alcohol first; needs second.

I have been homeless for two or three months. I was living in supported accommodation, but my benefits were stopped because I missed an appointment. I didn’t even know I had one. I couldn’t pay my rent and got evicted.

People have robbed and chased me, just disrespected me for no good reason while I’ve been in pain and it’s not fair.

I never think about the future at all. I’m still living in the past, thinking about my girl.

I had a lot of financial problems because any money I did get was going on heroin. Eventually I was so broke that I ended up living on the streets. I suffer from bad social anxiety, which means that I was scared to talk to anyone. It’s hard to trust anyone – I’m just too anxious. I couldn’t contact any of the agencies that might have been able to help me, including the benefits agency.

Then one day I began to get very bad stomach pains. I thought it was withdrawal symptoms, so I kept taking more and more. Then one day I just collapsed, with blood coming out my mouth, out my nose – blood everywhere.

I was taken to hospital and they said that I had a stomach ulcer that burst. People in the hospital directed me to social services and the Drug Intervention Team. I attended a few group sessions, but I never really talked to anyone.

Now I still have nobody and I’m struggling on the streets with my addiction.

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