Many people find themselves homeless. Nobody expects to.
For 40-year-old Wes, when he is out of work, he is out of accommodation.
A chef, who hails from Yorkshire, Wes has mainly worked in kitchens where rooms are provided. When he’s between jobs, he has nowhere to stay.
“I came down here for a job and was working in Marlborough. I usually have accommodation with work, but when that last job ended, I had to move out.
“Last night I slept in an abandoned house. But with Christmas coming up, I hope I can get another job, and somewhere to live with it. Then I would like to start volunteering here at Big Breakfast Plus.”
For Terry, the end of more than three decades working at holiday camps meant he also lost his home.
“I worked at holiday centres for 32 years in all. I was a kitchen porter for 12 years at Pontins in Blackpool until it closed down, and then I went to another holiday centre in Prestatyn Sands. A new company then took it over and you weren’t allowed to live in anymore. I couldn’t get a place to save my life.”
Unable to secure another job with accommodation, Terry returned to his hometown, Swindon. He now lives in sheltered accommodation but, other than temporary work at a couple of pubs, he’s not been employed.
“I’ve been coming to Big Breakfast Plus for about eight months. It’s lovely.”
Pete, who has been homeless in the past, has a number of health issues, for which he is waiting a formal diagnosis.
His past jobs have included retail and customer services, and for ten years he was a children’s entertainer. He is now volunteering at Big Breakfast Plus but hopes to get back into work in due course.
Sitara has lived most of his life in London but came to Swindon to escape a conservative Muslim family, who couldn’t accept Sitara is transitioning to female.
Sitara heard about Big Breakfast Plus via a homeless shelter. Sitara is now living in emergency accommodation in a hotel, so breakfast is a welcome opportunity for a hot meal.
Big Breakfast Plus is here to help all homeless and hungry people in Swindon, when they need us. To support the work we do, please make a donation here. Thank you.