‘The help I received from my support worker was unreal’

Porchlight came to the rescue of 51-year-old Craig when he became homeless after struggling to come to terms with the death of his partner.

“I’d gone to bits and tried to escape my problems by moving to Kent, where I grew up,” he said but it wasn’t the homecoming he’d hoped for.

It was the middle of winter and Craig found himself without anywhere to stay.

“Relatives couldn’t put me up full-time, so my only option was to sleep out in the cold,” he recalled.

Temperatures were freezing and he only had a sleeping bag for warmth. Like so many in his position, his health quickly deteriorated.

“I wouldn’t wish homelessness upon my worst enemy,” he said.

“One night I was robbed while I slept. From then on, I was always looking over my shoulder, constantly afraid of what might happen next.”

Eventually, Craig made contact with Porchlight and the charity moved him into one of its hostels in Canterbury.

“The help I received from Porchlight, particularly from my support worker Heather, was unreal,” he said.

“When you’ve been living on the streets it’s easy to become confused and not think straight. Heather was always there for me.”

Craig recently moved into his own flat and the charity is helping him to settle in.

“It’s like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders and I’ve got my confidence back,” he said.

“I love it here and I’m so thankful for everything.

“Because of Porchlight, I’m looking forward to Christmas this year – it feels great to be in a place of my own.”

Craig, 51, who has found a home through Porchlight