I’ve never had my own place, but now I have, I just can’t believe it. It’s like a dream.
My new place is very nice. I’m moving into a one-bedroom flat, and I love it. It’s a gated community, so you need a code to get in. I’ll be living on my own, not sharing anything with anybody, but you can of course have visitors. I can go shopping maybe once a week and cook at the weekends. There’s a very nice garden I can sit in, a laundry room and also a TV and games room, for people who want to play games or sit down and chill. It’s unfurnished and I’ll be getting all my furniture from Emmaus Bristol.
Before Emmaus, I became homeless in 2013, had mental health problems and was worried about my immigration status. When I moved to Emmaus Bristol in 2022, my life completely changed to be honest. Within a year of being here, the staff got me support to help with my immigration case so I could get my British citizenship through my mother. Now, I have my citizenship and I have my passport. You need ID for so many things, and now I can show it. I can travel abroad or get a good job because of it. When we went to see my flat, I had to show my ID, which I was very happy about because I now have it!
There are other aspects Emmaus Bristol has supported me with too. They’ve been putting money into a leaving fund so I will have that when I go, and they are giving me a move-on grant to help me get by while I find a job. They have also paid for me to get a computer, new trainers, new walking boots and a brand new phone. I’ve never had a brand new phone!
I’ve also done a computer course that Emmaus Bristol paid for, and I will be doing a Food Hygiene course for one week. I want to work in catering you see, and the course will cover different things like hospitality, working in the kitchen and barista training. I’ll get a certificate at the end and once I have that, someone will help me make a CV and I can go to some job fairs or the job centre. It’s hard for young people to get a job these days, and at my age might be harder, but there could be something! I’m still physically fit and I want to work. It’s better than sitting around and I can meet more people and make friends. While I look for a job, I want to volunteer a few days a week at Emmaus Bristol to get me out.
When I was homeless, I was in a hub for nearly four months sleeping with 40 people. In those places, you’re mixed up with all kinds of people doing drugs or whatever. There are so many bits and pieces Emmaus Bristol has helped me out with, that I wouldn’t have got in the hostel. Without Emmaus, oh man…
You can stay at Emmaus Bristol for as long as you need. I just want to be independent now and it’s very nice that I’ve got the opportunity for that. I’m a bit emotional about it. I’ll miss the staff, they’ve always been very supportive of me. If I need anything when I leave, I know I can come back for advice and that’s what I’ll be doing because this will all be very new to me. Getting my own place… it’s lovely.
Everything has worked out nicely for me, all thanks to Emmaus Bristol. I’ll never forget Emmaus. I wouldn’t be where I am without it, and I don’t think I’d still be alive. Now, I just want to look forward to the future, get myself a job, and live a simple and peaceful life.
