18 winters homeless: William's story

Every day, our outreach teams are on the streets looking for people sleeping rough. But some people are harder to find than others.

To avoid being attacked by other rough sleepers or members of the public, many choose to hide themselves away. This was the case for William. This is his story.

My life has always been hard. My mother died when I was three, my dad died when I was 11. My oldest brother was my guardian, and he disappeared then died when he was 32.

When I was 32, I was fit as a fiddle; I hardly drank, I had a punch bag in my room, I went running four nights a week – and then I split up with my missus and just disintegrated. I lost my job and fell behind with the rent.

My drinking got worse and worse. When I drank it was all I cared about; I didn’t even shower. Then I found myself on the streets.

I spent two years sleeping in a closed-down bowling green in White City. There was a little roof with a bench underneath so you could keep out of the rain, and nobody bothered me.

I was on my own most of the time – the best thing you can do is find somewhere to hide away, because I’ve heard of people being set on fire on the street.

In winter, the green would be pure white with the snow. I’m Scottish but I really feel the cold. You’ve got to wear three coats – the cold weather kills so many people.

"All in all, I was homeless for 18 years."

William

I tried four times to quit drinking – the first time it took me a week to stop shaking. It’s now been six years since I had a drink. Once I stopped drinking, everything fell into place.

When I got my flat through St Mungo’s, I was over the moon. I’d been 16 months sober.

"St Mungo’s got me on the road to the hostels. They put me on the ladder, and now I have my own flat."

William

Before, there were family members who didn’t know if I was dead or alive, but I’ve been up to Scotland around 10 times in the last four years to see my brother and sister.

When I walked in, my brother started crying. We went to the seaside, and the next day someone knocked on the door and it was someone I knew when I was young; he’d seen the pictures on Facebook.

18 winters homeless: William's story

18 winters homeless: William's story

Other articles from this issue

What it’s like to be an Outreach worker

3 things the Government can do to end rough sleeping

Support that can turn lives around

25 years of helping St Mungo’s clients

Last night on the streets: introducing our winter campaign

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