Jenny* is a volunteer peer advisor for St Mungo's move on service PAL (Peer Advice Link). She tells her story to mark St Mungo's Big Society Action Week.
At 17 Jenny came to London from Scotland and found herself street homeless. For the next nine years she slept rough, squatted occasionally, lived in trucks and traveller camps. She says "It was during this time that I started using party drugs which then developed into a full-blown heroin habit. I started to offend - shoplifting mostly - to feed my habit and during those six years spent a lot of time in prison."
After one spell in prison Jenny decided enough was enough. She says "I'd just simply had enough of being in and out of jail so I got some help and until a year ago was living in low support housing. I'm now in my own studio flat and have been clean for almost two years."
Jenny has been volunteering at St Mungo's peer advice move on service (PAL) for a year. She says "I was long term unemployed and needed to get my foot back in the door, do some training, get back into work. I'm studying for a level 2 supporting vulnerable people NVQ at City Lit and feel I'd like to work with vulnerable people. I've been there myself and I understand - I think you can be more sensitive if you have direct experience."
PAL is a first of its kind peer advice service where people who've experienced homelessness themselves volunteer to help others move on. PAL was set up a year ago and already around 300 people have benefited from its support. The service is also proving a route into work, with seven volunteers already leaving for paid employment.
Jenny continues; "PAL is a really strong way to help people. My days are very varied, one moment in the office manning the phone, to hostel visits, home visits. I'm also working with the team on a new scheme to help people find people to share housing with - it's been a challenge navigating the private rental sector minefield!
"I'd say to anyone considering volunteering for St Mungo's to go for it. It is a really positive step if you enjoy working with people. It can be quite exhausting but it's very rewarding. It's not the same as an admin job. You are changing people's lives. It's also a really good way of getting into employment and building your CV.
"Do I consider myself to be part of the big society? I don't really have any choice. I'd definitely consider myself part of society - Big Society? well no. More a victim of the big society."
* Not her real name