‘I used to sofa surf or sleep in my car, but now I have my own home. I’m so proud’

JONATHAN Lewis had a shaky start in life.

His much-loved ‘Nana’, who he lived with alone, sadly passed away when Jonathan, now 42, was just seven.

He then experienced domestic violence within his family home at a young age.

He was exposed to shoplifting and petty crime in his day-to-day life growing up.

Jonathan’s step-dad even used to take him on outings to break into cars at night.

Though he says he has fond memories [aged eight] of eating beans on toast in the police station with his brother after his step-dad had been arrested, he ponders over how it all felt ‘completely normal’ to him at the time.

Jonathan put himself into care at 12 years old when home became ‘too much to handle’.

As a result of this early trauma, he started using drugs.

At aged 15, Jonathan was sent to a young offenders’ institute for the first time.

Though Jonathan had briefly settled at aged 20 to have children, without support to address his early trauma he continued to use drugs to numb the pain of his past.

His mental health resulting from his past trauma was further compounded by homelessness, as he found himself sofa surfing and sleeping in his car. He was at an all-time low aged 30.

Jonathan turned to heroin to self-medicate, resulting in further offending – for which Jonathan is very remorseful – and a longer spell in prison. In prison, Jonathan worked hard, with access to support, to turn his life around.

He signed up to a 12-step drugs recovery programme and soon gained qualifications after taking part in cookery and other courses that were offered to him.

On leaving prison, Jonathan was helped to access supported housing for people dealing with past trauma and mental ill health, and picked up work here and there in kitchens and on building sites.

In 2018, Jonathan was given the keys to his new home. A onebedroom property leased to him by Caredig.

Thanks to his determination, access to stable housing and support to address his early trauma, he’s been able to turn his life around.

Now, Jonathan works full-time for The Wallich, where he helps people experiencing homelessness, just like he did, into a permanent home, with the support they need to fulfil their potential.

Jonathan said: “The last few years have been the hardest of my life as I’ve had to mentally adjust.

“I don’t have drugs to numb the pain anymore so I have to face head on what has happened to me and the impact I have had on others too.

“They’ve been the hardest but the most rewarding I have ever had.

“I’ve never had a home, I’ve never had my own property – it’s given me the push I needed – it’s given me something I don’t want to lose.

“Someone has put that trust in me, that I’m worthy enough to have something decent in life.

“I pinch myself that I’ve come from a bedsit to something so beautiful.

“I used to sofa surf or sleep in my car, but now I have my own home. And I pay for this with the money I earn. It makes me really proud. I keep it spotless!

“In my new job I support people in the situation that I’ve also been in, to show them that life can be different and here’s how to make it better.

“I have so much thanks for all the people that have given me a chance, trusted and enabled me to turn my life around.

“Now I just want to help people like I’ve been helped.”