“The most difficult thing about losing everything was looking back at what I had and what I lost. No-one expects that to happen. I was in shock at first. 

“I was a big drinker – six to seven pints a night. I thought nothing of it, that was just the culture. Everyone did it. I now see how close I came to being an alcoholic.

“My lowest point was when I was on the streets. I hit rock bottom and thought there was no way foward. You think there is no return when you’ve lost your house and everything.

“I heard people say that when you’ve hit rock bottom, there’s only one way up. But I didn’t believe that at the time. I thought I was going to stay there.

“When I came to Langley, I didn’t really know what to expect. I’d never been in a hostel before. I was very shy and  scared. All I wanted to do was turn around and go away. But I had nowhere to go and I thought it had to be better than being on the streets. I was made to feel very welcome. 

“Slowly I came out of my shell because it was a safe environment to be in. Now I’m much more confident, I’ve got more get up and go. I’m the house representative and I’m looking for a job. I’m such a different person than when I first came to Langley.”