Andrew is a client living in supported accommodation following years of being on and off the streets of West London. Here he tells the story of how he was referred to St Mungo’s, how he’s worked with the Digital Inclusion team, and his hopes for the future.
“You have to take it day by day”
I’ve been on and off the streets since 1997. It started when my mum and dad asked me to leave the house – ever since then, I’ve been learning things and doing things on my own.
I was sleeping rough on the streets in West London – during this time I was being beaten up and robbed. If I wasn’t on the streets, I’d be at friends’ houses sleeping on their sofas, but I wanted and needed my own place.
During the winter, sleeping on the streets is hard and so cold. You have to take it day by day.
When I was on the streets I was getting robbed left, right and centre. Beaten up and taken the mickey out of. I was all over the place – staying with friends, family and on the streets too.
The turning point
Things began to change when I went through the homeless persons unit with the council – I was fed up and didn’t want to go through it anymore. One day in 2017, I sat in the council offices all day and through this I was introduced to St Mungo’s. I was in accommodation in Brentford for a year and then moved onto Chiswick for 3 years, and then most recently in Hounslow.
I’m in St Mungo’s supported housing now, and the next step is to eventually move into my own home, which my support worker is helping me with. I have a daughter and an 18 month old granddaughter, so having my own place will mean they can easily visit.
St Mungo’s has helped me to pay for my passport. I couldn’t get a bank account because I needed a form of ID, so we got things sorted and now I have my passport. They helped me access drug recovery services and introduced me to a counsellor too, who I speak to every Friday.
I’ve come a long way compared to where I was 3 years ago. I took part in the St Mungo’s digital inclusion workshop. Staff had told me about it and they asked if I was interested. I thought I’d give it a go – I knew a little bit about technology, but not too much. I learnt different things and have grown in confidence – the course has supported me with independent living skills. This is taking on tasks that I used to rely on my keyworker for, such as emailing the GP for repeat prescriptions.
Hopes for the future
I’d love to get my own place at some point and become a support worker one day. I’ve been through a lot and would like to help someone else. Or I’d like to work with animals – I recently applied to volunteer at a disability farm.
To anyone considering donating to St Mungo’s, I’d really encourage it – everyday they help people in lots of different ways.
