Myles' Story

Myles discusses mental ill-health and homelessness

It was a mental health breakdown that caused me to lose my home …

I had a good job in building construction, was on a mortgage, but then the mental health crisis came … and I couldn’t work, lost my house, lost everything. I was in a psychiatric hospital for four days, although I still had my house at that point … but soon after I lost my home … I was on the streets for about a year.

I saw the adverts for P3, so I gave them a ring and they saw me that afternoon, and that evening, I was in a hostel.

To tell the truth, I was just thankful to get off the streets, but I was surprised at how nice the hostel was. I didn’t think it would be like that. I thought it would be dormitories, I had a bit of an old-fashioned idea about it. But instead, I had my own bedroom. It was great, really great, and I can’t thank them enough.

I was at the hostel for about three months. Then I went into a P3 shared flat. I was a bit unsure, but I said I’d try it.

I’ve been here just over a year so far.

My support worker Bernice comes to visit every week to check everything is OK and if there is anything I need. It’s great having her come. The main thing is knowing someone is there and that they can help if you have a problem … It’s going great here, no problems whatsoever.

Bernice also got me a doctor and she’s also going to help me to get mental health support … I do need the mental health support.

She helps me with budgeting … I’ve never been any good with paperwork, I’d just leave letters on the side and ignore them, especially when they were in brown envelopes. Bernice helps me with that sort of thing.

These days, if I’m honest, I don’t feel great. I’m 63 and I can’t see myself getting a job or anything, and I have a funny feeling I opted out of the state pension.

But my accommodation is safe and I’ve got to be honest, I really like it here. It’s just so nice and there are no problems. There’s nothing not to like.