He is fully reflective of his life choices that led to him being homeless. We helped him set up his new home, which he’s enjoyed making his own. He’s also been growing courgettes in his garden.
“I went through the system from when I lost my father at the age of 13, I ended up in care. I was only young. I was just upset, disrupted-like. I’d lost my father, but I don’t blame it all on that. Everything I’ve done in my life is down to me. No one else. I’m responsible for it.
After I went into care, I went in and out of detention centre, borstal training, youth custody, and then into mainstream prisons. It took me 30 years to learn from it all. But I did, and I never blame anyone but myself for it.
I moved to Milton Keynes to be with someone I knew from where I lived before. We were together for a few years. When the relationship broke down, I ended up at the Council’s emergency shelter for twelve nights.
It was hard to be in the same room with other people with somebody snoring and somebody playing a Bluetooth speaker all night. Then I was referred to The Shelter MK’s George House in Stantonbury, and it opened my eyes a bit when I went there.
It’s a tiny space that’s yours at George House, but that was all right. That was ideal for me. I’ve been in prison cells, so I know what it’s like. It was quite overwhelming. I know it’s a little room. But it’s better than sleeping out there.
I used to cry a lot, and then I had my support worker explain to me, well, if you didn’t cry, there’s something wrong. I’ve been through a huge amount. I was broken in there. I was just crying all the time.
It was good because you didn’t have to sit in your little room, you could just come to the office if the staff weren’t busy doing stuff. There was always a bit of time where you could go to see them. If you had a problem, then they would down tools and listen.
It’s important that they listen to you. Because I think as men, we’re all individuals. When I was at George House, we were all different. We were all unique.
I loved it there. I found when I was there, the staff, they’re like mums. I said to other guys that I met, if you’ve got a problem, go to the office. Don’t hide in the corner. It gets worse if you don’t say anything, nothing will be done.
When I was younger, I used to struggle to talk, but now I’m older and I think because of the experiences I’ve been through in my life, it just makes it a bit easier to talk.
But there’s some guys out there, they bottle everything up and they can’t talk. They’re the ones that need a bit more help and support.
When you get to George House, you’ve got security in a big way. And your support worker does all they can to help you get what you want.
Unfortunately, what happened for me is I had heart attack. It took a heart attack for me to get my own little place. I’m 58. It’s the first time in my life I’ve ever had my own little place with my signature on it.
I’ve got a video here of the courgettes in my garden. I’ve never grown anything like that, and I didn’t realise how big courgette plants grow. The leaves grow huge. But if you break the stems off or cut them, they’re hollow all the way inside.
I love my little place. For, the first twelve months, I found it hard being on my own. I was scared because of my health. I thought, well, if I’m ill now, that’s it. I have no one to ring. But I’ve got my neighbours now. I could ring them.
When I was still at George House, I got a £100 voucher to go to Cycle Saviours. So, I went down there, and I saw a bike, my own bike, but it was £150. So, what I did is I put £50 towards this bike out of my own pocket. I’ve still got the bike now. I won’t get rid of it.
Since I left, I’ve thought, I’d love to come back to see people. So, I have. I still hear from my support worker. The past two years now, they’ve said, why don’t you come here for Christmas? I think Christmas just gone I went back to George House.
When I went in the kitchen, I thought, what’s going on here? So, I intervened. It was nice. I also got invited back for a barbecue, and I’ve been here for the boat trips as well.
I really want to come back to George House as a volunteer. The people that get taken in are often broken apart and their lives torn to shreds.
I don’t go there that often, but when I have, I’ve spoken to individuals here and said to them, you’re in the right place. These ‘mums’ in here will help you. – because they are all mums, they are.”
“When Ric moved on our team provided a lot of support to get his utilities and everything set up. And we put him in contact with Connection Support. He still pops in regularly to let us know how he’s getting on.”
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 courier. 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.”
A retired dentist in his 70s
“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.”
A retired courier
“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 enjoy staying in contact with people at The Shelter MK. If there’s anything that I ever need support with, I know they’re only a phone call away.”
* Names have been changed to protect our guests’ identity
