Transform a life today
There are times in life when we all need to escape for a little respite. But, by the tender age of 17, following years of abuse and adversity, Gerry was looking to escape life itself.
Now aged 53 and working for St Mungo’s, Gerry finally has the strength to reflect on his traumatic former life. “I left home at 17 after being abused as a child by a family member for about seven years. I turned to drink and drugs. I wanted to escape – escape the abuse, escape my own head, escape my life. If I’d carried on drinking, I’d be dead.”
Homeless for many years, Gerry endured violence, drugging and repeated physical and sexual assault. Self-medicating through alcohol and drugs was the only way he could survive each day. “I took my life in my own hands every day and I never knew what was going to happen. That’s why I carried on drinking and taking drugs, because I had no hope, no reason to live.”
But, all around him, Gerry’s life continued to spiral. His brother passed away from liver failure at 45, and when he was diagnosed with HIV, Gerry truly thought his life was over.
On the anniversary of his brother’s death, he knew he desperately needed help: “I went to Hackney Recovery Services twice, but turned round and walked away as I just couldn’t face it.” Eventually, Gerry contacted St Mungo’s and was able to get the support he needed. “Thankfully, I plucked up the courage and I haven’t looked back.”
It took 14 months for Gerry to feel safe enough to talk about his painful experiences and process the suffering. But, through St Mungo’s resources, like our specialist addiction services, and activities, like group therapy, creative writing and practising mindfulness, Gerry finally began to heal.
Empowered and with a new lease on life, Gerry started volunteering at St Mungo’s and became a Digital Skills Tutor. Recently, he gained paid employment as a St Mungo’s Duty Worker. His capacity to relate to everyone he works with and all they have experienced makes him an invaluable champion for some of society’s most vulnerable people. He supports clients who have their own tenancies as part of the Housing First initiative, motivated by his own experience of the transformative power of having somewhere to call home.
St Mungo’s gave Gerry a precious lifeline, and in turn, he now helps to transform other people’s lives every day. He knows the level of time and deep caring commitment it takes to change the course of someone’s future, and seeing the positive impact he now has on others gives him a sense of true purpose. “It was the greatest decision of my life to seek help from St Mungo’s, and I’m in the best place of my life. I’m one of the lucky ones to come out the other side.”
St Mungo’s has the resources to transform the lives of those experiencing homelessness, but we rely on regular donations to continue delivering our full scope of services and provide the ongoing support that we know changes lives.
Donating just £15 a month is so much more than money for people like Gerry – it’s safety, the knowledge that there are people who care, and a chance to build a new future. Click below to donate now.
There are times in life when we all need to escape for a little respite. But, by the tender age of 17, following years of abuse and adversity, Gerry was looking to escape life itself.
Now aged 53 and working for St Mungo’s, Gerry finally has the strength to reflect on his traumatic former life. “I left home at 17 after being abused as a child by a family member for about seven years. I turned to drink and drugs. I wanted to escape – escape the abuse, escape my own head, escape my life. If I’d carried on drinking, I’d be dead.”
Homeless for many years, Gerry endured violence, drugging and repeated physical and sexual assault. Self-medicating through alcohol and drugs was the only way he could survive each day. “I took my life in my own hands every day and I never knew what was going to happen. That’s why I carried on drinking and taking drugs, because I had no hope, no reason to live.”
But, all around him, Gerry’s life continued to spiral. His brother passed away from liver failure at 45, and when he was diagnosed with HIV, Gerry truly thought his life was over.
On the anniversary of his brother’s death, he knew he desperately needed help: “I went to Hackney Recovery Services twice, but turned round and walked away as I just couldn’t face it.” Eventually, Gerry contacted St Mungo’s and was able to get the support he needed. “Thankfully, I plucked up the courage and I haven’t looked back.”
It took 14 months for Gerry to feel safe enough to talk about his painful experiences and process the suffering. But, through St Mungo’s resources, like our specialist addiction services, and activities, like group therapy, creative writing and practising mindfulness, Gerry finally began to heal.
Empowered and with a new lease on life, Gerry started volunteering at St Mungo’s and became a Digital Skills Tutor. Recently, he gained paid employment as a St Mungo’s Duty Worker. His capacity to relate to everyone he works with and all they have experienced makes him an invaluable champion for some of society’s most vulnerable people. He supports clients who have their own tenancies as part of the Housing First initiative, motivated by his own experience of the transformative power of having somewhere to call home.
St Mungo’s gave Gerry a precious lifeline, and in turn, he now helps to transform other people’s lives every day. He knows the level of time and deep caring commitment it takes to change the course of someone’s future, and seeing the positive impact he now has on others gives him a sense of true purpose. “It was the greatest decision of my life to seek help from St Mungo’s, and I’m in the best place of my life. I’m one of the lucky ones to come out the other side.”
St Mungo’s has the resources to transform the lives of those experiencing homelessness, but we rely on regular donations to continue delivering our full scope of services and provide the ongoing support that we know changes lives.
Donating just £15 a month is so much more than money for people like Gerry – it’s safety, the knowledge that there are people who care, and a chance to build a new future. Click below to donate now.