Case Studies
Centrepoint - Tim’s Story
Depressed, homeless and drinking heavily, Tim felt life was not worth living. After several suicide attempts he was referred to Centrepoint where he receives counselling and addiction support.
“At 19, after living away from home at catering college, I moved back down to London to stay with my parents. I found it really hard living with my Dad. He had taken my bedroom, my Mom was sleeping downstairs on the sofa bed, and I was sleeping where I could find some space. Then I started having arguments with my Dad. I ended up on the streets because I had nowhere to go. I was on the streets for over six months.
During my time on the streets something very bad happened. I went back to my mum’s house - dad had left by then. My Mom helped me get a job working at a special needs school as a cleaner. I started volunteering, helping out with the kids, then I became a volunteer teacher assistant and later a meal supervisor and bus escort. I got to know the kids, I really got into it. There were kids with autism, kids with MS, it was challenging but very rewarding.
Then I started getting depressed. I couldn’t get what had happened to me on the streets out of my head. I was haunted by it. I started drinking heavily, turning up late for work or turning up drunk. Alcohol doesn’t solve anything - it just postpones the reaction of sadness and depression, but I couldn’t stop.
I was on a slope going downwards. I left work and ended up back on the streets. One night, in a park, I took my belt off and tied it round my neck. I climbed up a tree and jumped but my belt snapped – I gave myself whiplash.
I got beaten up while I was on the street by two men. I can’t remember what happened, just walking down the street covered in blood. I went straight to Alone in London - still covered in blood - and they referred me to Centrepoint.
At Centrepoint I’ve been seeing a counsellor which has really helped. It’s made me realise that there’s more to life than drinking and getting into trouble. I’ve cut my drinking down and I’m feeling better every day. I feel like my life is worth something now.”
Click here to visit the Centrepoint website.