My name is Arturas*. I moved to Wisbech from Lithuania hoping to build a better life. I worked hard, but despite all my efforts there wasn’t enough casual work for me in the town. While at one of the few jobs I received, I made a new friend. “Come to Peterborough,” he said to me. “There’s a room for you, and plenty of jobs.”

The offer was too good to pass up, so one morning I left my rented room and took the bus to Peterborough. I waited at the bus station to meet my friend as planned. Then I waited some more. But the friend never appeared.

I stayed on the streets of Peterborough, regularly returning to the bus station with hopes of meeting my friend there. But the man never came.

After a few days I collapsed in the street. I was taken to hospital and returned to health. When I was released, I returned with disappointment to Wisbech. When I returned to my room, ready for a good night’s rest, I discovered it had been rented out to someone else.

I was well and truly homeless.

After a few weeks I came to the homelessness hub at the Ferry Project, and that’s when my life began to turn around.

Within four days Ferry Project found me accommodation in one of their modular homes in Jubilee Place, which was equipped with everything I needed to live a life of independence while receiving support to find work.

Their Lithuanian staff worked with me to research and contact local recruitment agencies. They also showed me how to access additional support, such as translation services.

Before long I found steady work, and at last I had a healthy support system and a safe place I could call home.

*Name changed for anonymity