I’ve been rough sleeping for 10 years. My whole experience has been a bit like when you trip up, but then you try and save yourself – however, you know you’re going to fall.
It all started when I got flooded out of my parents’ house. It cost me a lot of money, so I had to live out of a van. I moved to London for better job opportunities.
In 2014, I got a job in Fenchurch Street, working there for four years – even though I was sleeping rough.
I found the job really invigorating. It also allowed me to earn money so I could buy everything I needed for film production – a life-long passion of mine.
When I was sleeping rough, the temperatures were so cold. Other homeless people would give me their clothes as I used to wake up shivering. To help keep warm, I’d get a late-night coffee from the local cafes with friends who were also rough sleeping. But the opening times have been cut back now, so you can’t get a drink by bedtime to help warm you up for the night.
One night, I got attacked by somebody whilst I was rough sleeping; they tried to gouge my eyes out. I felt terrified and realised I needed to find somewhere new to stay.
Then lockdown happened. I couldn’t find food at this point, and the centres where I could chat to people had all closed – it became very lonely.
I came into contact with St Mungo’s during my early years out on the streets, working closely with their London team to try and resolve my long-term homelessness.
They’ve provided counselling and moral support as well as food vouchers. They’ve also helped negotiate on my behalf around debt repayment, which gives me more time to concentrate on my studies.
As I’m over 60 years old, I am not eligible for the full student loan and it’s difficult to get housing benefit when you’re a student.
But St Mungo’s continues to support me.
I think sadly, there’s a dreadful stigma to being homeless. I know people who are homeless who can speak a second language, and that surprises people. Some people can’t believe that I had launched a film.
As for my hopes for the future, I’m looking at working in post-production – with the ultimate goal of working on a Hollywood script. Watch this space.
