Lawretta became homeless in 2022 following a relationship breakdown. After being offered a number of temporary stays in hostels, she met the St Mungo’s team, who supported her into safe and stable accommodation.
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In 2022, my relationship ended and I found myself homeless.
For a couple of months, I slept rough on the streets near a shopping centre. It was a busy area, with lots of people walking past every day. Some people would stop and offer me money, food or drink.
There are moments when sleeping outside can feel manageable, maybe for a night or two. But when you’re homeless and you don’t have a choice, that’s when it becomes really difficult.
I was lucky that some people were kind. One person gave me £70, which really helped at the time. I also found out about local services, including churches that offered clothes and hot drinks. It was amazing to see how much support was available, but ultimately, nothing compares to having a safe place to call home.
When your relationship ends, it can feel like your whole world has fallen apart. But while I was homeless, I met other people who were going through similar experiences.
At first, I thought I would be terrified sleeping on the streets, especially in a tent. But being around other people gave me a sense of safety. It felt like there was some protection in numbers, rather than being completely alone.
The reality of homelessness is frightening, but over time you learn how to cope and how to get through each day.
A few times, charities offered me temporary shelter. I would stay in a hostel in central London, but it was usually only for a couple of nights before I had to leave and return to the streets.
That all changed when two women from the local authority approached me and introduced me to St Mungo’s.
When I arrived at St Mungo’s housing, it felt like heaven. For the first time in a long time, I had somewhere that was mine. I had my own private room, access to a kitchen and a safe place to begin rebuilding my life.
The support from the St Mungo’s team has given me the tools and confidence to move forward. I’ve learnt that it’s okay to accept help and that there are resources available to support you.
St Mungo’s also referred me for therapy with a psychologist, something I never knew was available to me. There can be a stigma around asking for support with your emotions, but therapy has helped me understand myself and realise that the things I want in life are achievable.
Being here has shown me that goals that once felt impossible can actually become reality.
I also love having access to a kitchen again. I enjoy cooking spaghetti dishes and making my own meals. It might seem like a small thing, but after being without that independence and access to the most basic of necessities, it means a lot.
I’ve now been at St Mungo’s for two years and I feel ready for my next step. With the support of the team, I’m working towards moving into my own home.
After that, I’d love to see more of the world, from Dubai and America to Germany. There are so many places I want to visit once I’m settled.
St Mungo’s gave me more than a roof over my head. They gave me the confidence to believe in myself and build the future I want.
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