It was great to meet Steve in Birmingham this week. We were visiting to publicise NextMeal.co.uk, the web facility for finding free food and more for homeless people in London and beyond. Steve, who works for the Birmingham City Mission, knows a thing or two about such needs, as you'll see in his story:
‘I didn’t
grow up wanting for anything. My family worked in Africa, so a brief part of my
childhood was spent there until we returned to Birmingham. My parents divorced
when I was 14. I did reasonably well at school; I played football and golf to a
fairly high standard and after further education I went on and found a job
within the recruitment industry. Most of my twenties was spent working hard,
playing hard. I was never a bad person but I often made bad decisions. Often
selfish. In 2010 I was offered a job in Australia and whilst this was a
wonderful experience, the work hard, play hard lifestyle continued. I returned
from Australia in 2014 and very quickly entered a downward spiral of
depression.
In January 2015 I made the decision to take my own life. I gave up all my possessions, I gave up my place to live and I purposely lost touch with all my family and friends. Obviously I was unsuccessful in my attempt but I awoke in hospital disappointed that I was still here. Then reality hit me that I was homeless. Embarrassed, ashamed and still depressed with no idea what to do next. The hospital released me into a homeless hostel which was a completely new experience to me. I was living with ex-offenders, people struggling with addiction and others with mental health issues. I very quickly had to adapt to my new surroundings.
The hostel pointed me towards Birmingham City Mission Resource Centre to obtain a food parcel. I remember asking them if they needed any help volunteering and thankfully they said yes. I began working the following week. Out on the van, collecting donations and delivering furniture. It gave me a new sense of purpose and I was surrounded by good people. A year later I went to help collect the Mission’s lighting and audio equipment after a church service. We arrived early so decided to sit at the back and listen to the service and everything clicked into place for me that night. I became a Christian that very evening!
I would like to thank everyone who has helped me in my journey of faith whether through conversations, services, prayer or simply through their actions and it’s an honour to spend every day offering the same in return to others.’
In January 2015 I made the decision to take my own life. I gave up all my possessions, I gave up my place to live and I purposely lost touch with all my family and friends. Obviously I was unsuccessful in my attempt but I awoke in hospital disappointed that I was still here. Then reality hit me that I was homeless. Embarrassed, ashamed and still depressed with no idea what to do next. The hospital released me into a homeless hostel which was a completely new experience to me. I was living with ex-offenders, people struggling with addiction and others with mental health issues. I very quickly had to adapt to my new surroundings.
The hostel pointed me towards Birmingham City Mission Resource Centre to obtain a food parcel. I remember asking them if they needed any help volunteering and thankfully they said yes. I began working the following week. Out on the van, collecting donations and delivering furniture. It gave me a new sense of purpose and I was surrounded by good people. A year later I went to help collect the Mission’s lighting and audio equipment after a church service. We arrived early so decided to sit at the back and listen to the service and everything clicked into place for me that night. I became a Christian that very evening!
I would like to thank everyone who has helped me in my journey of faith whether through conversations, services, prayer or simply through their actions and it’s an honour to spend every day offering the same in return to others.’
