In 1997, George was living in his own flat in Plaistow and had a steady job working for the Royal Mail.
Like many people, George enjoyed unwinding with his friends after a long week at work. But things started to go terribly wrong when peer pressure led him to start using drugs. "I just wanted to fit in" he recalls.
His life soon spiralled out of control. He started taking time off work and was unable to pay his rent. He was sacked from his job and evicted from his flat.
George had nowhere to go. His father passed away 16 years ago and his mother was living in West Africa. He couldn't turn to his brother and sister as he felt ashamed of his behaviour.
He headed to central London and ended up sleeping rough. "It was my first experience of being on the streets. It was really scary". George slept where he could and made use of day centres and soup runs.
He was desperate to make money to pay for his next fix. After a traumatic year on the streets, a street outreach worker found him a place at a hostel. But unfortunately George's chaotic lifestyle got him evicted and he returned to the streets. In desperation to fund his drug habit he started shoplifting.
His shoplifting offences soon caught up with him and he was given the option of treatment or prison. When the treatment failed, he ended up in prison. After leaving prison in 2004, he managed to get a room in St Mungo's Cromwell Road hostel. He completed a drugs treatment programme and even got his own flat. Sadly it wasn't long before George had a relapse and was pressured in taking drugs again.
"I realised I needed to sort my life out once and for all". George was determined. He completed a detox programme and got a flat share in Broadway's supported housing.
With St Mungo's help, he built up new skills and qualifications to increase his chances of getting a job and became a Peer Advice Link (PAL) volunteer, providing advice and support to other homeless people who had recently moved on into independent housing. George has now been a PAL volunteer for 5 months, "I feel like I'm making a difference to people's lives" he says.
George has been clean of drugs for a year and his biggest aim is to get back into employment and be a productive member of society again. "I've applied for St Mungo's Apprenticeship scheme, but if I don't get a place I plan to attend a course in supporting vulnerable people".
He is in contact with his brother and sister again, and thanks to the kindness of his sister, he is looking forward to visiting his mother in Sierra Leone, who he has not seen in many years.
George is positive for the future. "I feel like I've had a second chance. St Mungo's has given me my life back".