Scared, cold and alone
HARSH REALITY OF LIFE
IAN, 48, knows the terrifying reality of what it’s like to be homeless if only for one night.
Scary, cold and frightened for his life - and that’s only the start.
Having lost his accommodation he found himself destitute on the streets.
The former forklift truck driver says he could easily have ended up being stabbed after falling in with a drugaddicted, intoxicated crowd but somehow managed to see his way out.
After a difficult night on a park bench, he sought refugee at Clare House, a lifeline for Huddersfield’s homeless, and is now hopeful he can rebuild his life.
Fortunately, he fell in with the right people who could give him professional support and with a big dollop of kindness is now confident he will never look back.
He said: “It was just one night that I was on my own on that bench but I will never forget it, it was hard.
“I was lucky it wasn’t raining but it was cold. I could have been stabbed, anything could have happened.
“I had had enough and the next day I went to Kirklees Council and I have been very lucky, I have been here two to three weeks.
“I join in with the cooking and have a go at everything here including working on the allotment.
“On Tuesday a few of us were invited to go on a barge trip at Mirfield Marina which was very nice despite the rain.
“I’m getting help brushing up my forklift truck qualifications. Coming here is a lot better than I thought it would be.”
Joanne, 51, has struggled with alcohol problems since she was a teenager, 34 years of failing to stay on an even keel. She said: “I have been here for nine months with five months at dextox and rehabilitation centres in Manchester and Sheffield.
“I’ve had a few slips with drinking but I’m a different person. The people here have arranged for me to get a property and I’m just waiting to go. “I’m looking forward to it but scared in a way but it’s for the best and I’m going to get support all the way.”
A 22-year-old young woman who had a very difficult relationship with her family says: “I came here because I had nowhere else to go.
“Before I came here I was struggling with drinking all the time, mental health problems and feeling depressed.
“But I’m getting a property soon and the people here help with absolutely everything. I have never had support like this before.”