My name is Anton*. I moved to the UK from Poland and sadly became homeless. I was living in a tent until fire burnt my makeshift home down, destroying my belongings and leaving me with nothing.

At this point I didn’t yet have settled status, meaning I wasn’t permitted to live in the UK permanently. I could barely speak any English, and I suffered from severe dyslexia which made it difficult for me to read and write in Polish. These difficulties combined with losing my ID documents in the fire during the pandemic made the immigration application process vritually impossible.

Then I met the Ferry Project.

At first I only came to the temporary night shelter, but then I agreed to move into Destiny Haven, which is the Ferry Project's emergency accommodation.

Upon my arrival, Ferry Project worked with me to complete my immigration status, and before long I received settled status! With this breakthrough, I was then able to successfully apply for Universal Credit.

I began meeting regularly with my Polish key worker who was able to assist me with completing forms, applying for benefits, making appointments, and engaging with the mental health nurse. Together we began my journey from homelessness to independence.

However,the journey was not always smooth sailing. Ferry Project supported me to attend medical appointments at the GP, dentist and the opticians, but due to my severe anxiety and a mistrust of medical professionals, I struggled to attend these without a staff member by my side. My crippling fear of needles led to delays in doctors taking important blood tests, yet slowly but surely I overcame my fears and received the help I needed to stay healthy.

After being taught how to budget my Universal Credit income, I established and stuck to payment plans. I now live debt-free in Jubilee Place, which is Ferry Project's move-on accommodation, where I am preparing for a life of independence which is just around the corner.

*Name changed for anonymity