Marylebone Project - Changed Lives

Reneta found herself homeless at 48, after being asked to leave the accommodation previously provided to her by the National Asylum Support Service. On her arrival at the hostel it quickly became clear that she had poorly controlled Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes and clinical depression which had been exacerbated by her homeless situation. She lived in the hostel for just under two years until we were able to successfully resettle her to a self-contained studio flat in London and since her departure she regularly returns to the hostel to visit the friends she made there. Reneta is thriving in her new home and her health has dramatically improved

Terri arrived at the hostel following a very unsettled period in her life. Following her husband's early death, she returned to London to nurse her ailing mother and father. After their deaths, she took a live-in job which turned out to be for an abusive employer. Not sure which way to turn Terri left and found herself living in a hostel for homeless women for the first time at the age of 54. Although, she did not disclose any additional support needs during her stay it was suspected that she had issues around alcohol abuse and budgeting. These concerns were indirectly worked on with her and she eventually moved into a studio flat. Currently, she is continuing with the voluntary job she began whilst living at the hostel and which she has been led to expect will eventually develop into paid employment.

Katherine arrived at the hostel as an extremely chaotic 19 year-old victim of an exceptionally severe sexual assault carried out by several men. She had fled her family home to come to London in the hope of achieving an anonymous new life. However, as she did not receive adequate professional support and counselling at the time of her attack, and the subsequent trial, she began to behave in a very self-destructive manner. This behaviour eventually led to two separate court cases against her- for assault and for grievous bodily harm. Although she was convicted of both offences, both judges acknowledged mitigating circumstances and she was given probation on each occasion. She was supported by Hostel Workers to comply with the conditions of her probation and by the time she left the hostel she had managed to find (and maintain) a full-time job for the first time in her life. Katherine completed her probation orders and with the help of ongoing counselling sessions she has maintained her new tenancy successfully and has been promoted at work several times.

Debbie writes. Around three years ago my next door neighbour harassed me about my sexuality and I became homeless. I lived on the street for nine months and suffered a complete nervous breakdown. During this period I found the Women's Day Centre and used to wash and shower, wash my clothes and sleep in a safe environment. I have since found safety and shelter and I now use the centre as a place where I can be safe and meet friends. It gives me a sense of purpose in my life and is helping me fight against depression. I thank goodness it exists.

Marywas suffering from depression as well as having had suicidal feelings as a result of her homeless situation. For most days Mary had to resort to sleeping in buses, this took place for nine months before she could get any substantial help.

After a year of being homeless she was referred to Elgood House and from there she started using the day centre. Mary had a low self esteem was very apprehensive wherever she went. She thought that she was too old to study or to learn anything new but with support she confronted her fears and began to think more positively. Mary overcame her fears by an even stronger desire to work whenever the opportunity became available in the future. It took her up to a year to gain the courage she needed to start going to the computer classes and she appreciated the support and patience of the E-Learning Assistant and tutors who gave her the courage and the strength to further develop her computer skills. Mary describes herself to being hooked after getting her very first computer certificate.

Mary has now found the confidence she needed to get involved in other non-computer related courses like pathway to care, basic skills level three, cooking and budgeting and peer education. Other one day courses include food hygiene, mental health training and drug and alcohol awareness.

She is looking to get into full time employment so that she can get off welfare benefits, and at the momentshe is working as part time cook in local school. In Mary's own words: as long as you are in the right environment, and have the right support you can never be too old to learn.

When I moved into Elgood I had certainly lost all hope and want to thank God for you all because you guys helped me back on to my feet. Here I am 10 years later working at Passage House, a hostel for rough sleepers in the Victoria area .I find, time and again, the guys seem to be able to relate to me because they know that I was homeless and have achieved what I have achieved. I hope that my story will give homeless people everywhere hope and motivation to engage with the services offered by people like you. There is a light at the end of every tunnel if you look for it.

Things began to change for Noreen when her husband died and she was left to cope on her own. Money was in short supply; she got into arrears with her mortgage and loans, and eventually lost her home at the age of 50.

Noreen found herself on the streets having to find for herself a hostel place. It was a very alien environment to her. The accommodation was in dormitories with only curtains around the beds for privacy, but it was somewhere safe to sleep.

Moving to Elgood House she had her own room and key, and it gave her a stable and secure base from which to re-build her life. It also gave her access to the Church Army's Women's Day Centre which provided inexpensive meals and a range of social activities where she met other women in a similar situation. Noreen had never been out of work until becoming homeless, and was keen to help out, so she volunteered to help prepare the meals. Noreen can still be seen at Elgood House, as she is now one of the longest serving members of the Domestic Staff. It was her Key Worker who found her a small Marylebone Housing Association flat, and this coincided with the vacancy for a cleaner.

Noreen says It's true to say that Church Army has enabled me to re-build my life and return to normality.

Joan felt like a second-class citizen as things began to change in her life. Her husband's controlling behaviour caused her to lose not only self-confidence and self-esteem, but also her individual identity. So, after 28 years together, Joan decided she had to escape from the physical and mental abuse and build a new life for herself.

Joan came across The Marylebone Project and was admitted as a resident to the hostel. Joan says It was a place where I felt wanted. The staff treat people with respect. It gave me stability and a safe place to build foundations. I am in the process of completely rebuilding my life.

Over a year on, and Joan is very positive about her future and is attending a local college to train as a counsellor. It's not about what others can do for me or to me any more. It's about what I can do for myself. There is encouragement and support. People are more inclined to do things in groups and take responsibility for doing things for themselves. It has helped me to realise that I'm not alone in my way of thinking and doing things.

Joan has successfully completed a 60-hour counsellor course at Westminster Adult Education college and has gone on to apply for a year certificate course in counselling skills. Joan adds; I hope my story may inspire other women in a similar circumstances to view their time here as an opportunity to rebuild their lives.

Building achievement and confidence

Before I came here I used to sit alone in my room all of the time. My sickness was bad, and I didn't think that there was anyone out there who could help. When I moved to Cosway Street I couldn't believe how much support there was and how friendly people were to me..

Now I do things, and I have confidence to go out more. I've received help with my bulimia, which is gradually improving and I joined the Day Centre, which helped me to get to college and to take exams. I hope that with continued support I can see my course through to the end, which would be a great achievement for me.

With the help of the staff I am building a portfolio of my certificates and achievements.

This experience has changed my life. Now I have hope for the future. I know that I can accomplish new things. I feel that doors have been opened for me, and I've been shown that with help and support I can lead a better life. It's brilliant.

S. Kamal

They've been great, I appreciate it and their hard work and support for me has made a real difference. Keep up the good work.

My daughter was admitted to your hostel with a range of issues. I have to say I was worried and it was against my better judgement at the time that Janice came to you. Although Janice's first few weeks were daunting, she quickly settled down and I saw her confidence grow in leaps and bounds. Without your support she simply would not be able to cope and coming to you has proved to be the best move she has every made toward stable independent living. Words simply cannot express how Janice has grown- you have proved to be a tower of strength for both of us.

Marylebone Project, 1 - 5 Cosway Street, London NW1 5NR
Tel: 020 7262 3818, Fax: 020 7402 8752
E-mail: info@maryleboneproject.org.uk