this is my current situation and how I got here: Hi my Name is Shaun; I am currently flitting between living on the streets and sofa surfing. I was living in my campervan after my marriage broke down as I had to leave my marital home for my own mental health, living in a place that was causing me emotional stress and pain and was not healthy for either of us. Sadly, my van is off the road as no longer safe and road worthy. I have services available to me which I am accessing regularly with my wellbeing and mental health, and for food and support.
Like any relationship break down is comes with risk of debt, I’m trying to get myself into a situation to reduce a further risk of increasing my debt whilst homeless, my plans are to focus on paying my own debt off in full so I can then rent a property that I can call my home, I am paying my debt on a regular basis and is reducing slowly.
What am I doing to help myself: I am supported to continue doing voluntary work, this gives me a sense of belonging and a sense of giving back for the kindness shown to me. I have worked all my adult life in hospitality so would say with confidence I’m a grafter. due to my current situation and the increase in poor mental health I have had to stop working. Being homeless has enabled me to reach out for help and since then have had a diagnosis of ADHD and diabetes.
Why am I asking for financial support: living in my van was manageable wasn’t great but it was affordable so I could pay my debts off however it is now needing considerable amount of work that I cannot afford. Sleeping on the streets is costly with extra clothes, food extra cost of transport to get around to see the people I need to see. As you will see from my attached document the work needed to get me back into my van, with my current support from Mental health and the Ark I am okay with returning to live in my van full time during the winter and until my other debt is paid off. My long term goal is to live in a flat with my own tenancy that I can call my own that I can afford.
Winter is coming, I have applied for LSPF fund from Local Authority and await a decision to see if they can help with some of the repair costs. Friends and family support where they can and loan me transport as and when.
What will having my Van back mean to me:
It belongs to me, no one can take it away from me. I can travel and be more independent and feel less of a burden to others. It is my safe place to live whilst I work on my health and wellbeing and when everything works it will keep me warm dry and safe. It will be my home until I can afford bricks and mortar. ANY MONEY RAISED ABOVE ThE AMOUNT WILL BE DONATED TO The Ark Shrewsbury, WHO PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR THE HOMELESS and VULNERABLE