Growing up, things were alright. My dad was quite strict, but it wasn’t a bad childhood. When he passed away when I was 18, it left a gap in my life, but I managed to carry on. I never imagined that, years later, everything could fall apart so quickly.
It all started when I was admitted to the hospital with a broken leg, just before a knee replacement operation. The day before my surgery, I was handed a Section 21 eviction notice. My benefits weren’t enough to cover rent and living costs, so I fell into arrears. That’s when I met Julia from Connection Support, who referred me to their Out of Hospital service. It felt like someone was finally on my side.
Social services went to my flat, packed up my belongings, and asked for my keys while I was still in the hospital. They left me with just two t-shirts and the clothes I was wearing. I stopped paying rent because I was being evicted anyway. From there, things spiralled. I had follow-up appointments for my leg, and during surgery, I died three times on the operating table. After being discharged, I was still in my flat with nowhere else to go. I was served another eviction notice, admitted to the hospital again, and couldn’t leave because I had no home to go to. I was taken to court, and I lost my job in the meantime.
My Support Worker, Shannon, told me to start paying my rent after receiving my Universal Credit. I did, and the judge noticed. Instead of immediate eviction, I was granted a bailiff’s warrant giving me eight more weeks. It bought me time, but it wasn’t easy.
After this, I went between different temporary accommodations – Travelodge, Premier Inn, and some poor-quality places I had to clean myself. Every few weeks, I didn’t know where I’d be. I had a breakdown. I couldn’t cook, so I lived on pot noodles and crisps. A friend helped me out – I did my washing at her place twice a week. Eventually, I was offered a flat. At first, I thought it was in a bad area, but when I viewed it, I realised it was a great location – close to town and near the GP surgery. No more taxis, no more uncertainty.
When I think back to that time, I remember feeling completely broken. I even had a breakdown in the hospital. Shannon supported me through all of it. She worked so hard and always tried to be there for me. There were moments I was desperate and needed her, and it was tough when she couldn’t be there, like when I had to go to court about my Universal Credit.
Still, she never gave up on me. Shannon helped me transition into my new accommodation and even appealed my Universal Credit to get me more support. She had such a big impact on my life. I miss her. She’s a bubbly, smiley, positive lady, and she helped me believe that things could get better.
Today, I’m settled. My rent is paid. My leg still gives me trouble, and I have ongoing health issues. I’m waiting on a weight-loss injection so I can have the surgery I need. I still feel like I need someone to turn to, but I’m in a better place now.
One of the things that’s helped is being involved in the Client Advisory Board at Connection Support. We’re called ‘Brighter Futures’ – I’ve met some really lovely people through them, and it gives me a sense of community again.
My journey isn’t over. I still have hopes for the future – mostly, I just want to stay stable, healthy, and feel supported. But looking back, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Proud that I kept going even when everything seemed to be against me. And incredibly grateful for the people, like Shannon and Julia, who walked with me through the darkest times.
