“I’m excited for the future, I’ve got the potential to work abroad, or in the UK as security personnel, and the possibilities are endless. I’ve always liked security work, looking out for people is in my nature, especially because I’ve been in some terrible situations myself. If it wasn’t for people helping me, I wouldn’t be here today.”
The people Jamie is referring to, are the many emergency accommodation workers, and hosts for Depaul UK’s Nightstop service, which offer a lifeline to young people who are at risk of homelessness.
When he could no longer stay at home, Jamie spent time between friend’s sofas or spending what little money he had on hostels and B&Bs. Wandering the street one night, he had hit rock bottom, and said he never expected to find himself homeless.
When thinking back, Jamie said “you think you’ve hit rock bottom, and then you realise rock bottom has a basement.”
“Homelessness can happen to anyone, rent is so expensive, and without a decent paying job at the time, I was in my early- mid 20’s and struggling to make ends meet and I couldn’t afford to rent privately. I asked the council to help, but I wasn’t a priority and didn’t fit any criteria for housing, temporary or otherwise.
“All I had was a backpack and a sleeping bag after I left the council offices. I set out to find somewhere secluded where no one else would go, to stay completely out of the way, but it started to rain, so I tried to find shelter. By the time I found it, I was soaked all the way through – and you just want to give up at that point – so I ended up walking around all night.
“I was also suffering with my mental health and was on medication, so it felt really hard. But the next day, I found out about Depaul UK, and went to a drop-in centre in Middlesborough where I am from. You could go in and grab a cuppa, and some food and find out about your options. I got talking to someone about Nightstop and was told that the charity could help me find somewhere safe to sleep for the night. Depaul UK paid for my train fare to Newcastle where I met my first host.
“Even though I consider myself a people person, I was apprehensive to use Nightstop at first. I mean, it’s staying in people’s spare rooms – people I don’t know. I remember heading to the first house I stayed at, feeling overwhelmed. A mix of emotions. I wondered who these people were – they didn’t know me yet were willing to open their home to me. The whole thing was quite daunting, and I’d been knocked back in life quite a few times by that point.
“I really didn’t need to worry though. Hosts for Nightstop are some of the kindest people out there. I was welcomed in, shown my room for the night, and given the wi-fi code. It was bliss. I was able to have my first proper night’s sleep in ages. I was so relieved. They cooked me a hot meal and offered to wash any dirty clothes.
I stayed with several hosts who all opened their doors and welcomed me into their homes.
“After my first placement with Nightstop Hosts, the charity carried on helping me by finding me somewhere more permanent to stay.
“Now, I know this sounds silly, but at the time this was all happening, I was also seeing someone. She found out about my situation and even though it was early on in our relationship, she invited me to stay with her. My ‘luck’ had changed overnight – I’d gone from having nowhere to stay, to a couple of options. I decided to move in with my now ex-girlfriend.
It was not the right thing to do. Several months later, we broke up, I moved out of her place and found myself back to square one. I had nowhere to go.
“I started working in a pub and stayed with a mate – but I couldn’t stay there forever, so I found myself heading back to Nightstop. I couldn’t believe how non-judgmental they were about seeing me again. I could tell that the person who helped me – Martin is his name – well, his heart sunk. He knew how hard I’d tried to make it work the first time around – but here I was again. Thanks to his help though, I was able to be placed with another volunteer host for Nightstop and get back on track, and that’s what’s led me to be here today.
Thanks to them, and the work I’m doing on myself, I’m in a much better place than I was, and hope to be able to help others soon. I’d tell anyone going through a tough time like I did to keep going.
Two months ago, I was jobless and homeless and now I’ve got somewhere to live and a full-time job. Because there are people, people you’ve not even met yet, who really care. And a lot can change in a year.
*The story is told in Jamie’s own words. An actor was used in the photography and film, and names have been changed to protect their privacy.
Hear from Jamie in his own words:
