AHEAD of World Homeless Day this Saturday (October 10), a Coventry man, who lived on the streets for 11 years and battled alcohol addiction, talks about what has helped him to turn his life around.
Dean Wood first left home when he was a teenager after turning to drink – nearly 30 years later he has a new home where he feels “accepted” thanks to Coventry & Warwickshire homeless charity, Emmaus.
The 44-year-old said: “I was 15 when my problems with addiction began. At that time, alcohol was what made me feel good. I ended up leaving home and from then on, I was on my own.
“I would not wish homelessness on anybody. You learn to adapt to survive but it’s very hard. At the end of the day, I’d pick a spot for the night and crash out. It wasn’t living, it was existing.
“One day I reached a turning point. I didn’t want to be that person anymore. I decided I needed to change my life.”
Just after his 40th birthday Dean reached out and received help from a specialist rehab centre, working hard to battle his addiction.
After three years of being clean, he felt ready to take the next step and managed to secure a place at Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire. The homelessness charity, based in Binley, has given him a place to live and the support he needs: “It felt like a fresh start; I had a home for as long as I needed it.”
Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire provides a home and meaningful work in a social enterprise for 18 people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion. The charity runs a second-hand furniture shop on Red Lane in Coventry, along with our other social enterprises including a house clearance service and the collection of bulky waste on behalf of Coventry City Council and North Warwickshire Borough Council.
Some residents stay for a few months as they gain confidence and skills before they are ready to move on to independent living; others are in need of longer-term support and are able to stay for as long as they need to. Dean now feels hopeful for the future and is grateful for the support he has received.
He said: “They’ve always got time for me here and I feel accepted.
“Emmaus has given me a chance to pause and think about what’s next. With their help, I’m looking into training opportunities. I’m up for anything that can better my chances. I can reflect back on the person that I once was, but that’s not who I am now. I’m so pleased I made that decision to change my life.”
If you have been inspired by Dean’s story and want to help the charity, contact Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire to find out how you can get involved. It can be as simple as donating unwanted furniture or picking up a bargain at their second-hand furniture shop on Red Lane in Coventry. Call 02476 651094 or go to: emmaus.org.uk/coventry-warwickshire
