Nigel’s been with the shelter for three weeks and back in the UK for six. Born in Maidenhead to east London parents, he left the country when he was younger – first moving to France for a girl, and then onto the US, where he stayed for 15 years. He describes living on the streets in San Francisco being like a mad house. He had no problems, except for a 10-strong gang that stole his backpack once. He was lucky and managed to get through. He was a barfly and moved to Key West and there he went to rehab – first to receive and then to help deliver it for the next three years as a volunteer. He met all sorts of people and when speaking with him, you get a glimpse of what he’s experienced – he’s had an interesting, difficult life and he tells his story without sadness or anger. It’s a story you want to hear.
He’s been a nomad for so long and while he’s glad to be back in England, he describes it as being “a bit frustrating”. Through the new residency test, he isn’t able to receive benefits for three months. He was homeless for three weeks before No Second Night Out managed to secure a space with us. He likes the shelter, the food and people are nice and he describes it as a godsend.
He’s working hard to find a job – he’s worked in various jobs from fruit picking, to factory work to odd jobs – so he can gather some money together and find a home. He keeps optimistic.