In this episode of the Rural Homelessness Podcast, host Matt McChlery interviews Ferry Project client Keiran about his experiences. Beyond his own story of becoming homeless, Keiran talks about how he wishes people would treat homeless people they see on the street today, and what others in his situation can do to find help. He also discusses what help he found at The Ferry Project, and what he is doing now to move on and get his life started again.

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Transcript

 

Introduction

This is the Rural Homelessness Podcast, where we discuss the important issues around rural homelessness, hear from those affected by it, and offer some solutions. Brought to you by the award-winning homelessness charity, The Ferry Project. Welcome to the Rural Homelessness Podcast.

 

Matt McChlery (host)

Hello and welcome to this episode of the Rural Homelessness Podcast. I'm your host, Matt McChlery. Thank you so much for joining me today. And thank you for joining in the discussion around rural homelessness and helping to elevate it amongst the sort of the national conversation in the UK at the moment, because rural homelessness really is a problem for us here in the UK, and it's something that we need to talk about more. Now, in just a moment on today's episode, I'm going to be chatting with a resident of The Ferry Project called Kieran, and he is going to be sharing with us his experiences of being homeless, as well as the support and help that he has been given here at The Ferry Project. But before I do, I just wanted to remind you or let you know that we now have a mailing list. If you want to be kept up to date with everything that's going on with the podcast, or indeed The Ferry Project charity in general, do head over to our website, ferryproject.org.uk and go to the contact page and there there's a button you can click on to sign up to our mailing list to be kept up to date with everything that's going on. So do head over there and do that in just a moment once you finish listening to this, obviously. So here is Kieran sharing his story with us.

 

So Kieran, thank you very much for joining us today. Welcome to the podcast.

 

Kieran

No problem, thank you very much for having me.

 

Matt

Just to start off with then, could you just tell us a little bit about what life was like for you before coming to the Ferry Project?

 

Kieran

I was married in 2010. Had a son with her through IVF, which was difficult. And had a moment, as everyone does, caught her with my so-called best friend in bed when I came home from work. It went downhill from there, ended up on the streets for little while. A friend who I've known for a long time took me in, stayed there nearly 7 years. Unfortunately, ill health got the better of him, but took him to a full-time care home. The property had to be sold to compensate for that, but I ended up back on the street, and trying to find a place was a nightmare. References, credit checks, I couldn't get it. And last hope was the council, and they finally got me in The Ferry Project. I had a few ups and downs at the start, as everyone does, got kicked out a couple of times, through like threatening behaviour. I wasn’t used to the help, always kept thinking what the… What do they want? What are they after? What are they trying to do to me? But in the long run, I mean I’ve been here two years. I can't thank them enough. They have done so much for me. And there's no words to express what they've done. Really, seriously. I'm now halfway through the movement on. And that's down to these. I've done a computer course. Beginners, essentially one programming, maintenance and repairs. I'm now starting at Central 2, which is intermediate. Bit more difficult. But if I hadn't come here, I wouldn't have been on that either. They help with medical. If I had problems with myself, they'd be fantastic. It's been an uphill battle, but now and there, it's getting a little bit easier. It really is. Losing members of family, it’s been difficult, and going through rotted patches as everyone does, but they’re there to help. And I would recommend them all day long.

 

Matt

That's great. So going back to where you were homeless, what was that experience like for you?

 

Kieran

Hard, difficult. People just looking at you walk past you, nothing. And it's horrible. When you're… you were something for years, and made yourself something for 20, 30, 40 years, and then you hit that. To me it's like degrading. People just look at you and go, “son, look at you, can't be bothered”. It's not the fact you can't be bothered, it's the fact unfortunate things happen and as a result sometimes it goes that way, or you might be fortunate and the fortune goes away. It's difficult. You know, you're scared to sleep at night in case somebody robs you. Trying to find your next meal. You know, I'm trying to keep myself clean. It is horrible.

 

Matt

How easy was it for you to like try and access services and things to help you when you were...

 

Kieran

It was difficult because of not knowing who to turn to. When you've done everything yourself and not relied on people, it's hard to know where to go, who to turn to and what to look for. And the last resort was the council to see if they knew. And this is where I am as a result.

 

Matt

And what would you say was one of your biggest challenges that you faced when you were homeless? I'm sure there were many.

 

Kieran

Challenges were trying to find a way to keep your head down, making sure you're safe, being still scared to sleep at night in case you got robbed, in case someone kicked you to death, trying to get clean. It's so, so difficult.

 

 

Matt

And how did you come to know about the services or The Ferry Project, for example. How did that connection happen for you?

 

Kieran

I didn't know nothing about The Ferry. I had no knowledge until I went to the council, and the council paid for the taxi, got me in here. And in the hostel.

 

Matt

Yeah. And I know being homeless is incredibly difficult and stressful. But were there any times when, I know you've said that a lot of people kind of looked down on you or kind of pretended that you didn't exist. But were there some instances where there were some people who were actually kind and tried to offer help, or not really? What's your experience?

 

Keiran

There’s been a couple, yeah, there's not many people that would nowadays. Not really in fashion in this day. Everything's changed, it's getting faster. People are moving quicker. They forget too quick. They don't even say regards to you nowadays.

 

Matt

So you've been to the council, they've put you in touch with Ferry Project. So, on first coming to the Ferry Project then, what was that like for you? How did you feel when you first kind of walked through the doors?

 

Kieran

I didn't know what to expect. You know, I really had no knowledge of the place, hadn't even heard of it. And it's like a big building. You think, wow, what's going to happen? All kinds of things go through your mind. You know, and they're great and polite, they help. I didn't know where it'd go when I first came here.

 

Matt

And did it take you a bit of time to settle?

 

Kieran

Yeah. Oh god, yeah. Definitely.

 

Matt

You've already mentioned some of the computer skills that you've been helped with here. Are there other things that they've helped you with? Like training or cooking or whatever? I don't know.

 

Kieran

Yeah sure, for sure. We did a cooking thing here and I took part in that. They loved it.

 

Matt

Oh, brilliant.

 

Kieran

I've done it over where I am now. I cook, and they like what I cook up. Love it. That's what I do. I look after those that look after me. And that's how it should be with everybody, but it ain’t.

 

Matt

Great. Since you've come to Ferry Project, what would you say some of your highlights of your experience have been? What are you most proud of during your journey?

 

Kieran

Health outcome. Well, I’ve being rock bottom to where I am now. Meeting new good friends, knowing that there are genuine people out there. You know, it's hard to find them, but they are there.

 

Matt

Yeah, that's great. From your experience being a homeless person once yourself, do you think people in the general public, people generally, have misconceptions about homelessness and those who experience it?

 

Kieran

Yeah, I think they do because sometimes when you're in a busy crowd and you see people walk past a homeless person, they blame them for being homeless. And it's not always their fault. Yes, there are people out there that can't be bothered, and there's genuine people that don't want to be on the street, that are trying to get off the street. So it's a bit of a mix and match, really. You know, to go and gossip about that, why don't you just ask them, why don't you just try and help them out?

 

Matt

And what would be one of the things you'd like to say to people about...

 

Kieran

Don't judge them. Don't judge them, because it's not always their fault that they’re homeless. There's a reason behind it. There's always a reason for it. Don't judge them. Come to them. Talk to them. Yeah, and... Don't accost them. Never judge a person until you get to know them. Then make your mind up, not before you know them because you don't know them. Talk to them.

 

Matt

That's good advice. Thank you. You shared a bit about what life was like and the sort of circumstances around becoming homeless then coming into the ferry projects and then being helped. What's life like now? Where are you at now?

 

Kieran

Halfway. The way I looked at life is I almost fell off the ladder. Coming here was the first step to where I am, second step. Doing a computer course, third step. Then once you move out to a property, that's where I'm at. So I'm edging up all the time. Moving forward, not down.

 

Matt

Really, that's good. And where would you see yourself? What are your hopes for the future?

 

Kieran

Just to get my own place and settle. For life. Instead of keep going on the street and moving here, there and everywhere. There's no life. You know, I'm not getting any younger. You know, but there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Even though if you can't see the light, it is there. And you'll always find it. It's just needing a bit of support, a bit of help. Honestly, it don't cost. You know, these help. I asked the council. And I've never asked anyone for anything. And that was the first time I had too. And they help. Always, if you're in trouble, just ask. Go to your local council. And they will have the information or help. Or they will help you get somewhere. Even if it's shared, it doesn't matter. It's a roof. It's warmth. It's a bed. Food. Drink. You're not on the street. Just ask for it.

 

Matt

Hmm, that's great. And just as we come to the end of our chat, could you just sum up how the Ferry Project has helped you and the difference it's made in your life.

 

Kieran

They are so so supportive. If you're feeling down, they’re there, come and have a chat. You know, there's courses, there's education here, there's artwork, there's so many different varieties of things and they will help you find it. They helped me to do this computer course, as I am unable to do my original work, you know, landscaping, can't do nothing. So I've turned myself to something else I can still do. You know, so it's there. Just ask. These are fantastic. Absolutely. There's no words. I owe them my life. That's all I can say on the matter, but if there's anyone out there that is stuck, go to your local council, or come to The Ferry Project. Simple. Just ask for the help.

 

Matt

That's very key, I think, being able to ask for help-

 

Kieran

-It doesn't cost nothing to ask anybody. Okay, I’ve had to bite my pride. And it didn't hinder me.  Yes, I thought it would have, but it didn't. Bite your pride, go to them. They're there to help. And they will help. It's just asking.

 

Matt

That's great. Well, thank you, Kieran. Thank you for sharing your story with us today and your experiences. And yeah, I wish you all the best.

 

Kieran

Thank you very much. Thank you.

 

Matt

And a very big thank you to Kieran for sharing his story with us today. Now we have changed his name. His name isn't really Kieran. He just asked us to help keep his identity anonymous, so we've respected his wishes and we've done that for him. So that's what we were doing there. But thank you so much for listening. Do join us again either on the 1st or the 15th of the month where we will be having another informative episode all about rural homelessness, discussing problems and possible solutions. So do join us again really soon. Thank you and goodbye.

 

Outro

Thank you for listening to the Rural Homelessness Podcast brought to you by The Ferry Project. Visit our website on www.ferryproject.org.uk