‘I’VE got my life back’ – a grateful former chef has thanked a Coventry homelessness charity for helping him rebuild his life after he spent 18 months sleeping in a tent.
Dean was homeless and living in a tent by a brook before Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire gave him a place to live and the support he needed to turn his life around.
To mark World Homeless Day today (Friday October 10), he is sharing his experience of homelessness – and his gratitude to the charity.
Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire provides a home, meaningful work opportunities, training and tailored support for up to 17 people who have experienced homelessness.
It also helps them to regain confidence, skills and independence through its social enterprises and community life.
Dean became homeless after years of caring for his mother.
He said: “My life was once very good. I had a great job as a chef and I lived with my mum in her rented house.
“Unfortunately, my mum became ill, so I left work to become her full-time carer. Four years later she sadly passed away.
“I took over tenancy of the house and got a job working as a school cleaner. Things could have started to look up, but then I had a car accident which left me injured and unable to keep my job.
“In the end, after about six months of spiralling into debt, I was told I was going to be evicted.”
With nowhere to go, Dean was homeless for almost 18 months.
“I slept in a tent alongside a brook. It was the cold temperatures that really got to me. Each day seemed like it lasted a fortnight.
“Some people might think it sounded like an adventure but when it’s below zero outside, and you’ve got a long beard full of ice, it’s not fun.”
His turning point came when he was introduced to a charity that later led him to Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire.
He likened Emmaus to ‘a stepping stone to get back into reality’.
He added: “They gave me my own room and a reason to get out of bed each morning.
“Emmaus has given me back the confidence that seemed to slip away when I was homeless. My sense of pride returned as well; I always used to be a smartly dressed person, and I feel like myself again.
“Emmaus gave my life back and I’m incredibly thankful.”
Visit www.emmaus.org.uk/coventry-warwickshire for more information on Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire.
