My name is Peter and I currently live at York Road Project in Woking. I came here due to a relationship breakdown with my partner and if I am really honest with myself this was due to my drinking habits. I didn’t see that I had a problem, not until it was too late. I didn’t see the impact this was having on my partner, not until it was too late.
I was scared when I came here to YRP, I had never been in this situation before and you have a perceived idea of what a homeless shelter is like and the people who go there.
On arrival I was greeted by staff and offered something to eat and drink. Staff were kind, made me feel less uncertain and sat down to talk to me about how they could help.
They were able to help me apply for benefits and explained to me what the process would entail and how long I would have to wait for a payment, they explained that hot meals, snacks and clothing would be provided as part of my stay with them and that they could help me budget once my benefits had been paid.
They helped me with referring to I-Access for support around my drinking and came with me for my first appointment as I was nervous and sacred about talking to someone about my drinking problem.
My worker at YRP helped me fill in forms to go on the local housing register so I could eventually bid for a place of my own. They explained that the process would take some time and that there could be the possibility of moving into their ‘move on accommodation’ for up to two years, that this would give me a chance to eventually go back to work if I wanted too.
I stayed at the night shelter for 21 days and then they moved me into one of their flats, I started talking to my partner again and I was attending my alcohol support meetings so my alcohol usage was beginning to reduce. This was a very difficult time for me as I struggled with not drinking, I missed not drinking as it was a way for me to shut out the world, a way to forget all my stresses and just feel nothing.
I am lucky though as staff at YRP were their when I was low, when I wanted to drink they sat and talked to me, they calmed my inner anxieties and made me see that I was doing well and that recovery is not a quick fix. This is difficult to admit as I thought it would be quick, that I would just go home and carry on as normal.
I am still with YRP, living in the flat with others, I see my worker twice a week, engage with I-Access and have started seeking some voluntary work. I know that I would like to work again but for now I need to help myself and I know I can do this with the support I have in place