Client Stories

No one knew that Philip was sleeping in his car. Not his two fond children, none of his loving wider family and caring friends. Even Philip didn't know, as he stood on a motorway bridge, wondering whether he would take his own life that night.

Keith had it all. Wife, kids, a home, an exciting job as a chef and all that came with it. However, his perfect life came tumbling down one Christmas morning when, instead of opening presents as a family, his wife found him overdosed in the bathroom.

Before the death of her mum, Louise was a bubbly individual with a loving family, safe home and a talent for arts and crafts. However, after her life was turned upside down, she found herself quickly moving towards a dark place as poor mental health and addiction issues spiralled out of control.

Aaron was just 21 when he first found himself alone and out in the cold - As a musician and with nowhere else to go he went to Dawson’s Music, in Belfast, where he knew he could find some comfort.

It was at Dawson's he met his best friend and began his longest spell of homelessness.

“When I get older and have kids, I just don’t want them to have the life that I have had - that would be terrible if I even thought of doing that to my kids. Usually when people ask me what’s your future, I’m like, ‘I will be probably be dead’ - but now I won’t be. I will be alive and happy hopefully.”

Steven's mum passed away when he was 15. Having had no relationship with his dad, he found himself sofa surfing at friend's homes until he got to a point where he had nowhere else to go and was homeless.

Nicola lived with her partner, had her own house and was a senior support worker for people with learning difficulties and poor mental health. However after a break down, caused by domestic violence she lost everything and found herself homeless.

There was no privacy at all. It was terrible. I’m the sort of person that keeps to myself. Don’t like opening up.

‘I’m off the drugs now and I want to tell my story. I want people to read it and know that there is help out there, that you can get off drugs and make something of your life.’

Compared to where I was coming from, Simon Community was fantastic, a very good place to be. It was the start of a very large learning curve; I have met people from all walks of life. There’s never a dull moment and you meet people with all sorts of personalities.

I was scared when I first moved in, I was happy to have somewhere to go but I was nervous about living on my own at 17. I’ve gotten used to it now and I do get on well with staff. I’ve also made friends with the other people living here.

I left home due to family breakdown as a result of domestic abuse. I like living here because before I was here, I didn’t have any support, or anyone around me trying to help me every day like I have here, so it makes me feel really good getting that support and having people to talk to – both staff and other young people.

As a child who grew up in the care system, Billie-Jo found herself homeless at just 19, as the result of family breakdown due to domestic violence. With nowhere else to turn, Billie-Jo found herself at the Simon Community Belfast Foyer, unsure if she would be able to return to full-time education.

“My mental state was very low and I was scared. I was feeling guilty because I had left my kids and I didn’t know where I was going to stay, but I couldn’t go home. If I look back to that day when I left, I see myself from outside. I don’t recognise it as me. That day was the hardest thing that I have ever done. I kind of see it like a third person now, but I recognise the man and I understand why he did what he had to do.

It can be hard at times being in this situation, I just take every day as it comes and it’s good that the staff are here to support you if you need help. Plus you can speak to your friends in here too which is good. The staff are here every day and are always there for you.