Matthew's story
Matthew, 44, is three months into a 12 month apprenticeship as a St Mungo's project worker at Gray's Inn Road hostel. Out of 150 applicants who applied for the scheme this year, he is one of 15 successful apprentices.
Matthew was born in London but grew up and lived in Leicestershire in a "typical middle class home", trained and worked as a cabinet maker and a wood machinist for five years. At the age of 23 he moved to London with his partner where he retrained as a chef, working his way up to Head Chef at some of London's top restaurants. About six years ago his marriage broke down and Matthew experienced violence and domestic mental abuse which led to a period of depression and living in fear. When his spouse sent a letter from a divorce solicitor, accusing him of being abusive, the police told Matthew to leave his children and the family home. He ended up homeless.
If that were not enough Matthew was then made redundant and as a result of both this and the problems he was suffering at home, Matthew spent a two year period moving in and out of his home, sleeping on his allotment or staying on friends' sofas. Matthew comments on this time: "I was in and out of the house like a yo-yo. I would go home after a few days to find my wife had cooled down, then things would get out of hand again and I'd either have to move out voluntarily or the police would be called and suggest I leave. This happened about five times. After a while you run out of friends' sofas to sleep on so I ended up rough sleeping at my allotment."
When a friend found Matthew sleeping on the allotments, he was concerned for his welfare and took Matthew to his doctor who referred him to the emergency mental health clinic who in turn contacted St Giles Trust. St Mungo's SPOT then referred him to Rushworth Street emergency shelter. Matthew says: "I was absolutely terrified. I had no idea what to expect and remember being really apprehensive about the other people staying there. My imagination ran wild but once I got there and got my own room, it wasn't that bad. I actually enjoyed the company of the other residents - they aren't bad people, just guys who need help - and to have my own space and a place to stay was such a relief."
After two weeks at Rushworth Street, Matthew moved to a Salvation Army hostel for six months before finally getting his own place in sheltered accommodation in South London. "It was whilst living here I was able to provide a home for my children and started thinking about what next. I began to ask myself: "What do I want to do with the rest of my life? I didn't want to work as a chef anymore. I thought about working with vulnerable people. What a good way to make a living by helping and enabling vulnerable people to improve their quality of life."
Matthew started volunteering one day a week at St Mungo's hostel in Covent Garden, using his cookery knowledge to run lunch clubs for the residents, teaching basic cookery skills, budgeting for food and healthy eating. The experience taught him "how to relate to the other members of staff, meet a wide variety of clients and learn skills around boundaries." At the same time he became involved with volunteering at a carpentry workshop four days a week, getting used to working full time and helping to assist with training.
In March 2010, Matthew applied for a Future Jobs Fund post at St Mungo's WoodWorks training programme in Westminster. "It was then that I realised I really wanted to work in a hostel and get my social care qualification. I felt ready to get work experience as a project worker and I'd heard about the St Mungo's apprenticeship scheme. I applied and when I got the call to say I was successful I thought "Yes! I'll start now if you like!" I know I've been given a fantastic opportunity with in St Mungo`s to receive the high level of training that the service user's deserve. Lots of people wanted this position and the standard of applicants was very high, I feel both very privileged and excited.
"My hope for the future is to finish my apprenticeship and get a job working for St Mungo's. I'd love to work with the outreach team. I'm really enjoying my work and am looking forward to learning more."