For many people, there may come a time where they hit a breaking point and can’t carry on without support. This is the case with many of our clients experiencing homelessness, who come to First Base Day Centre to seek support from our highly trained, knowledgeable and compassionate case workers. Each client who walks through our doors receives support from a dedicated case worker to help them move away from rough sleeping. This is what one of our clients, Samuel, experienced when he came to First Base. This is his story.
“I was living in a shared house in Portslade with a live-in landlord and two other flatmates. I was working as a chef for an agency, doing shifts in care homes and hospitals. I’d lost my daughter to Covid-19 and I started to drink to cope with the grief. I lost my job and then found work through another agency, but on my way to my first shift I turned around and went back home. I just couldn’t carry on.”
“My benefits then suddenly stopped because I missed an appointment, and I couldn’t pay my rent. Maybe I should have told my landlord what I was going through, but I don’t think he would have cared. He gave me 24 hours’ notice to leave. As a lodger, I had no rights. He put all my stuff out on the street and someone nicked it, I lost my favourite clothes and shoes.”
After losing his home, Samuel came to First Base Day Centre.
“The first time I came here I was very surprised. I came to the door and explained I’m jobless, I’m homeless. I sat down, had a coffee – it tasted good after being out all night. I sat with one of the workers and started to speak. I felt I could open up to her. When I lost my daughter, I didn’t tell anyone. No one knew what I was going through. My case worker was the first person I spoke to about losing my daughter. I had no other family, and to be honest, I felt like there was no way out. I wanted my life to end. But talking to her helped. I promised to keep coming every day.”
As well as offering emotional support, our case workers help with practical advice such as helping access benefits.
“She helped me sort out my benefits and referred me into accommodation. Things started to change in my head and I began to see a way out.”
“When I first moved into my new accommodation, I found I couldn’t sleep and I was only getting around 3 hours a night. I used to go walking instead. Now I’ve completely stopped drinking for the last 6 months and I’m feeling good about my accommodation. I get on well with my flatmates and my keyworker.”
“I now want to get back into work. I’ve started coming to the cooking group every week at First Base where I cook a meal for clients. It feels good to be able to use my skills in the kitchen. I like coming to the group as I’m very comfortable cooking. My CV has a big hole, but coming to the cooking group gives me something I can put on it. I’m also completing food hygiene training.”
“I’m in the right place now to work on my head. I don’t want to forget my daughter. You don’t get over it – you just learn to live.”
