All About Nigel
Below is an account of how Catching Lives has, and continues to, significantly help homeless, vulnerably housed and destitute people whose lives have - often by their own admission - spiralled out of control on a path to an early grave. The following is not an isolated story but just one account of how, through Catching Lives not only providing basic human needs, but also tackling the root cause of someone's problems, people's lives can readily be caught and then saved...
Nigel, an ex-serviceman, had everything he wanted in life: a successful career in real estate, a partner, and was also happily teaching English as a foreign language in Thailand. Tragically his life was turned upside down when he was betrayed by his partner and became the victim of a vicious attack, leaving him in intensive care for three months. While he was in a coma, his partner stole all of his money and belongings before disappearing, leaving him financially bankrupt, completely isolated and alone. Five months later, he left hospital and returned to the UK with only £16 to his name and little hope of justice. He was also left with permanent disabilities to his back, shoulders and legs as a result of his injuries.
After many attempts to gain support and compensation for his ordeal, Nigel was forced out onto the streets of London, suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Nigel spent his days begging, something he says, “Even in my desperate state I found incredibly embarrassing. Only through alcohol could I cope with the reality of the situation”. On the streets, always cold and constantly fearing for his own safety and survival, his alcohol addiction spiralled until he was drinking 20 cans of beer and half a bottle of vodka a day, finding himself taken into hospital unconscious from drink at least once a week.
Catching Lives Help
Having now faced numerous harsh winters fending for his life (after six years of living on the streets of Crawley, Chatham and Maidstone), Nigel heard of a service which would lead to him turning his life around in the space of six months.
Catching Lives provided not only shelter, warmth and food, but somewhere to shower, change his filthy clothes and take blankets and sleeping bags. More than anything, the shelter offered his first sense of safety since being on the streets, something Nigel says “meant I did not even want to drink”.
Catching Lives offered Nigel the support, guidance and encouragement he needed to give up his addiction and begin looking towards gaining secure accommodation and beginning to rebuild his life. From the Canterbury Open Centre, Nigel worked with Catching Lives designated Mental Health Care Nurses in dealing with his addiction and Post Traumatic Stress.
Ultimately it was Nigel’s own will power and determination that allowed him to turn his back on his previous problems. Now studying a refresher course to continue his teaching career, and planning a subsequent degree course, Nigel believes “The Centre and its team help you to build a new-found positive attitude, self-confidence and drive to build a new life”.