St Mungo's Opening doors for homeless people

40 years - Memories of St Mungo's

Since 1969 St Mungo's has been working with London's homeless people. Our four decades are peppered with innovative new projects, groundbreaking services and successful pilot schemes. But homelessness remains a serious issue, affecting broadly the same sort of people that it has always affected - those who find themselves at the bottom of the pile.

John is 51 and originally from Yorkshire, this is his story. Click here for the full version.

It all started the day I was made redundant. They paid me my redundancy money and I was told I had to leave the place I was living - the job I had came with a place to live. I went to the town hall for help. They told me they had nowhere for me but recommended a few places I should try. I found a couple who would put me up if the council would pay them the rent. The council said yes. It was not a nice place to live and I could not have my son stay there with me at the weekends because I was worried for his safety.

I began drinking a lot and started taking drugs. I was very, very depressed, thinking all the time about killing myself. I was in a very bad way.

Things got worse and I ended up having to leave. I had no option but to live on the street. In one year I had gone from a maintenance manager of a posh hotel to a tramp sleeping in a coal shed. The people I had known did not want to know me now.

I could not see my son who I loved more than life itself. I was too ashamed to let him see me like this. The only reason I did not kill myself was because of my son. I did not want to leave him.

One day at the town hall they gave me a number to ring. It was a place in Earls Court run by St Mungo's. I talked to a lady there and she gave me an interview. One week later I got a call to say there was a space available and I moved in. I was not good at filling out the forms but they helped me and even came to the town hall with me. I was in a very bad way when I moved in, but the people there were very understanding and talked to me privately. They told me that every time I wanted to talk they would be there to listen.

Any problem I had St Mungo's had a person to help you with - only if you were willing to help yourself.

After six months they moved me to another part of the building where you could cook for yourself. I felt more independent and confident. I still had problems but I seemed to be able to cope better now.

My keyworker got in touch with a man in the council. He got me a flat which wasn't decorated but I knew I could make good. My keyworker got me money for paint and helped me get furniture too, nothing special but it was everything to me. I worked very hard to get the place in shape and moved in after one month. Now I am learning to write and use the computer which I'd never done before. My son comes and stops with me every week now. We are happy again. I have a pint of lager now and again. It is not a problem any more. I do not take drugs at all.

If it was not for St Mungo's, I know I would be dead now. I cannot thank you all enough.

visit our other Action Week '09 pages:

What's on during Action Week

About mental health & homelessness

Happiness Matters to our clients

40 years - our story

40 years - Memories of St Mungo's

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