After being signed off work with depression, I left my flat and went to live with friends. Four months later this broke down and I found another friend who could put a roof over my head. But because this place was so small, six months later I had to move on once more. This cycle carried on and on, and at one point I moved seven times in one year.

I thought I’d be on the priority with housing for my own place but this wasn’t the case. I had been sleeping at different friends’ houses and sleeping rough for six months and then I found out about the Eastbourne Foyer. I had an interview, then after 24 hours I got a call and – I couldn’t believe it – I was told a bed had come up.

Six weeks later, through support from my key worker at the Foyer and Connexions, I was back in education for the first time in four years. I’m going to do a course in Ethics at the Open University. After that I’d like to go to uni and then maybe look to do a PGCE.

I have been in supported accommodation for eight months now. It’s really nice to have come across a project that was so concerned with my housing welfare. With the workers here at the Foyer it’s no show, no guilt, they just really want to help.

The next step for me is to move out of the Foyer, either into social housing or back into a privately rented house.

David, East Sussex

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