Oli was homeless but turned his life around – and you can too
Through no fault of his own, Oli lost everything that mattered most to him: His family, his high-flying career and his home.
He was forced to live in a van, alone, cold and often very hungry, for more than two years. But he was set on the road to recovery after being driven by hunger to visit the Haven, New Hope’s drop-in centre for those experiencing homelessness.
There, he was treated with dignity, he was given food, warmth, a place to wash and he was given the confidence to rebuild, start again, find a job and eventually a nice new place to call home.
Oli has lived experience of homelessness and here is his six nuggets of wisdom for anyone who may find themselves in that desperate situation. And you don’t have to be experiencing homelessness to appreciate the worth of his words.
1. Don’t let homelessness become your identity
It may be your situation, but it is not who you are. That distinction matters.
You may be sleeping in a van, on a sofa, in a doorway, in temporary accommodation, or just one step away from losing everything, but you are still a person with a story, a past, skills, memories, love, dignity and a future.
2. Accept help, even when it feels uncomfortable
Especially when it feels uncomfortable.
I struggled with that. I was used to being independent. I was used to providing, solving problems and being capable. So, receiving help felt strange. It felt like weakness at first.
But it isn’t weakness.
Sometimes accepting help is the strongest thing you can do, because it means some part of you still believes you are worth saving.
3. Build a routine
Even a small one.
When life is chaotic, routine can stop you falling further. For me, it was New Hope, the library, the van, sleep. It wasn’t glamorous, but it kept me moving.
A routine gives shape to days that might otherwise swallow you.
4. Stay connected to people where you can
Isolation is dangerous.
You can become very quiet inside yourself. A simple conversation can matter. Someone knowing your name can matter.
Don’t underestimate those moments.
5. Don’t think too far ahead when everything feels impossible
Just do the next right thing.
Get food. Find warmth. Make the call. Fill in the form. Go to the appointment. Apply for the job. Wash your clothes. Sleep.
Then do the next thing after that.
Survival is built one small step at a time.
6. Don’t give up on the possibility that life can change again
I know how hollow that can sound when you’re in the middle of it. I know how hard it is to believe in a future when the present feels so heavy.
But things can turn.
People can help. Doors can open. You can rebuild.
You may not get back the life you had. But you can build a different one.
And sometimes, strangely, that different life can be more honest, more peaceful and more meaningful than the one you lost.
