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David’s story 

"I’m dreaming of all the things I can do now I’m back doing what I love"

I came to Your Place after a few years being homeless in different places, and for different reasons. It can happen quickly and it can also be drawn out. I’m originally from Kent, and when I was first made homeless after a difficult relationship with my family, I didn’t know how to get the right support, so I went into a shared private rented flat, and it had been completely missold by the landlord. There was no heating, and it was in a really bad condition. After leaving that flat, I moved into a different one, and was evicted by the landlord with short notice. I couldn’t get my stuff back, and I ended up on the streets.

I had bad memories in Kent, so I came to East London and slept on the streets here. I was picked up by an outreach team, and moved into a pop-up hostel for a few weeks before I got introduced to Your Place.

I was one of the first people to move into [the Your Place project] Hope Street, and for now it feels like home. While I’ve been here, I’ve tried different things, especially around getting back into work. I’ve got my forklift license, as well as barista training. The things I’ve done have been possible because of the skills I’ve gathered recently.

 

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When my parents got divorced when I was young, my mum pulled me out of Sea Cadets when I was thirteen [years old]. It was the thing I loved most, and I always missed it, even as an adult. At the Your Place Christmas lunch [in 2023], I saw that the local Cadets group were volunteering in the building. I went to speak with them, and told them about my rank and experience. They said they’d love to have me back and it was the best news I’d had in ages. Without that moment at the Your Place Christmas lunch, my mindset wouldn’t be what it is now.

The process of getting back in has been long but I’ve been actively involved the whole time, as they have to do DBS checks and make sure everything is set up properly. But now I’m back in the Cadets, I feel like I’m making up for lost time! I feel like myself, and I’m already really proud of what I’m achieving. I’ve been doing the online training to get recognised as an Officer, and I’m dreaming of all the things I can do now I’m back doing what I love. 33 years in the making, and here I am!

I have a good relationship with my dad, and we’ve got a fishing trip coming up, so that’s something I’m excited about too. I have a meeting really soon about moving out into my own place. It feels like everything is coming together, and I’ll hopefully be living locally, so I can keep up my work at the Cadets. I’ve been getting advice from the Job Coach here about getting a new job, now I have my forklift licence, and she’s been helping me build up my confidence for interviews. Now I’ve had this opportunity to follow my dreams again, I’m looking forward to the future in a new flat, working a job I enjoy, climbing the ranks at the Cadets, and having my independence back.

 

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