Giving back
Chris was one of hundreds of amazing volunteers who made ToyLink happen this Christmas. Here he shares his story of homelessness and being able to give something back.
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I was made homeless 11 years ago because of family issues. We weren’t getting along very well. I hadn’t got a job or anywhere to stay so the Salvation Army put me up for 3 months. They helped me apply for my council flat but, of course, I’d got no furniture - nothing. They drove me over to the City Mission and I picked out some. BCM delivered it the day I moved in.
It was simple things like a bed, a sofa, table and chairs and a bookcase. Nothing extravagant, but I desperately needed that at the time. Living in those shelters is not nice, not a nice place to be. Still it’s better than living on the streets. It sounds silly but things like a TV stand just made a big difference. Being able to sit in my own flat on a sofa and watch my TV made the world of difference. It wasn’t embarrassing when friends came round. I had a sofa to offer, not just a couple of deckchairs.
Eleven years later I’ve gone on to have a successful career and have got married. I’m doing alright for myself now. It was a long road. I come from a middle class background. I have a university degree. I’m not what the media perceives as a stereotypical hostel resident. It can happen to anybody, but there are also ways and means of getting out of it.
The reason why I’m here delivering for ToyLink is because I saw a post on Facebook asking for drivers and I thought, ‘That’s it. I can do that.’ I bought a car for the first time this year. I haven’t got much room in it but it’s better than nothing and I thought I can do something to give back to the guys that gave me so much.
