He’d been a self-employed courier for more than 30 years when his work suddenly dried up. Donald lived in his van before coming to George House, where he helped out in the garden. Now, thanks to our team, he’s living in supported accommodation and is taking care of the gardens there.
“I mean, I was in the courier business for 33 years, so luckily, I had a van. I tried to get into the Council’s emergency shelter, but I couldn’t get in until they could see I was living in my van. I was at the emergency shelter for three months before The Shelter MK offered me a place at George House in Stantonbury.
I was still working and doing airport runs at that point. I was always working. Then about four years ago, I started working for a husband and wife who had the sorting contract in Milton Keynes for a big courier service. They asked if I’d like to go and look after their depot in another region for the weekend – and I spent a year there! But I loved it!
So, then that finished, and I came back to do some work here in Milton Keynes. But then the couple gave up the contract here, which actually made me unemployed for the first time in my life.
The whole time I was at George House I was working, but it was just little bits and bobs to keep me going.
The support team of three at George House were brilliant. I arrived there with a fellow colleague, so we at least knew each other. I loved it there, doing a bit of gardening.
When I first arrived, it was great. I had a room on my own. I mean, it was small, but it was comfortable, and the food was brilliant. I mean, there was always ample. We’d go to the old food bank one or two days a week to stock up on bread and some vegetables and what have you.
It didn’t take long to make some really nice friends at George House. We used to have barbecues there, which was great fun. Everybody would just contribute. I’d get the meat and stuff and people would bring their own bits. It was great fun.
I don’t mind cooking. Although I only helped one Christmas day and that was a disaster! On the other hand, I still dream about the lasagne that a volunteer, an ex-fire-chief made.
“Donald would always talk to all the volunteers that dropped off the food. And when he was here 18 or so months ago, we used to have a lot more, so we need to find more volunteers to cook for us.
There was one volunteer in particular that he had quite a good relationship with. And yeah, he was a firefighter and was actually head of the fire brigade.”
My relationship with my kids hasn’t been great so the team at George House tried to help me with that. We had phone calls with my support worker and myself and my two kids, they both live abroad.
I’ve got three grandchildren that I’ve never even met, but I did see my son the one time. As my support worker at George House has said, it’s good there’s been some progression.
I was really nervous about leaving George House at first. I suppose it almost felt like starting again. Moving to the flat, I thought, “I’ve never lived in a place without my own garden.” But now I’m quite glad I’m upstairs and I get to look after all the gardens apart from the big lawn. Got to keep busy. Keep going. Keep fit.
When I left George House, I stayed in touch with the team there. That’s been brilliant because we just like a good catch up and a natter. I’ll bounce things off them and tell them where I’m at and what I’m doing. I’m really happy where I am too.
“I still see Donald and provide some low-level support. It’s more checking in, really, welfare checks. But when he applied for his housing benefit, when he lost his job, when he retired, I helped him put that in his application.
He still just generally phones up for a little chit-chat now and again. It could be, I don’t hear from him for a few weeks, but then he phones up for 10 minutes just to see how I am as well as say how he is.”
I enjoy staying in contact with people at The Shelter MK. We talk about all sorts of stuff and sort out the world. If there’s anything that I ever need support with, I know they’re only a phone call away.
I’d like to come back to George House as a volunteer, because I’ve been there and done it and it will give me something to do. I could get in the garden and even maybe look at doing a cooking session. I could do a barbie, I’d love that.”
Make a one-off donation, give monthly or put food in our cupboards and help our guests feel at home so they can look to their future.
We welcome volunteers with a wide range of backgrounds who can help us with cooking, DIY or admin.
From a pub quiz to a sponsored walk, raise money for us with friends or colleagues with the help of our event ideas.
A customs clerk, a retired dentist and a father. Hear how we’ve made a difference and helped these guests and former guests change their lives for the better.
Now works as a customs clerk
“I used to use the computer at George House to do my CV. Now I have a licence for export and import. The company gave me the opportunity also to study more, to progress in life. All of this came through The Shelter MK. Since I got that job, things have changed a lot. I’ve been happier.”
Is a retired dentist
“I couldn’t have asked for a better support worker. She was outstandingly good with me. I could ask her anything and she was willing to go to the extra mile for appointments and advice. She was always available if I needed to speak to her. She would make an effort to spend time with me.”
Is a father
“The team always listens to you and that’s important. Because, I think, as men, we’re all individuals. I really want to come back to George House as a volunteer. I’ve spoken to individuals there and said, “You’re in the right place. These ‘mums’ in here will help you.”
* Names have been changed to protect our guests’ identity
