“There’s light at the end of the tunnel”

Peace is the big difference between here and a hostel.

You feel calmer. You can start planning. I’m 54, at the most I’ve got a good 40 years on the planet, so I’m gonna use these 40 years.

I was evicted a month after mum had died. It was brutal. I was her carer for five years. I went to a hostel in Eastbourne and spent one year and three months there.

I was scared. When you’re in a hostel, there’s so much going on. Most people are in depression at that time. A lot of people are drinking or taking drugs. I actually set up a food club at the hostel for a little while as I saw they weren’t eating properly.

My outreach team were brilliant. It was the outreach team that found me this place. They said these places are probably the best in Worthing.

I’ve been dealing with my Housing Support Specialist here. I put my trust in her, no worries. I’ve been waiting on furniture – a lot of my mum’s was put in storage – and she’s been brilliant at getting it sorted.

Settling in has been great. It’s my home. When I went through the doors, I thought, “Wow! How modern, how clean, and the size!” I’m very, very impressed. It’s also a place where my daughter and family can visit. She couldn’t do it for over a year.

Contact is very good. If I want to speak to staff, it’s a phone call or text away. You’ve got to put your trust in them. They’re not here to hurt you. It’s that simple.

Knowing staff are there makes this transition easier, big time. If there’s something I’m not sure about, the guys will look into it. The service has been brilliant, 10 out of 10.

With my Housing Support Specialist, we normally meet once a week. We discuss what needs to be done and I’ll go off and do it. I couldn’t have done it without her – setting up Universal Credit, talking to the council. It’s too much on my own. She takes all the stress away.

I’m already involved with the doctor. I’ll be doing pilates, give up smoking, get fit, and change job. I started working for the Salvation Army. I realised my career in building work was over due to medical.

I want to work in outreach, I want to be a counsellor. I did a free online course in Introduction to Counselling. I enjoyed it. I am now going to look at a six month to one year course.

I know I’m on the last little step, so the trust I put into the team is paying off. It does work. If you want this, you have to work with support services. You can have a better life.

I’d say to someone on a similar path as me to put your trust in them, speak to your doctor, and put your trust in them too. Trust means your mental state gets better, focus gets better, and you can see a future. There’s light at the end of the tunnel and it’s up to you to keep that going.

For some people, it could be the best move of their life.”