Anthony, 45, was born in the UK, but left with his family for Nigeria when he was five. He came back here when he was 18.
I came to the Shelter in September (2011). Last May I was living in Bermondsey but couldn’t afford the rent so had to move out. For the following five months, I was all over the place – using any savings I had to stay in hostels or anywhere. By September I’d run out of money. I had nowhere to go. Without Shelter from the Storm I honestly don’t know where I’d be. If you can’t sleep anywhere, or don’t get food, you can’t even think about getting a job and helping yourself.
The shelter gave me the chance to collect myself – I didn’t have to worry about where my next meal was coming from. If it hadn’t been for here I could be dead, especially when you think about how cold it’s been recently. Since coming to the shelter, I’ve managed to get a job doing administration and book keeping for a movie company. They’re going to make me permanent staff next month, which is cool. And I’ve got a flat near Catford that I’m moving into soon as well. I will miss the shelter, but I can’t wait to get my own room and my own space. I would love to come back as a volunteer one day. I want to give something back. I might give myself a few months break though!