Music fan Kaci has been a guest with us here at Shelter from the Storm for three months. In common with so many of our guests Kaci’s main priority is finding employment. He came to us voluntarily as he finds the atmosphere in the shelter helps to him to focus, along with giving him a sense of calm, a sense of security.

We’ve helped him write his CV and provided him with access to a counsellor, although, truth be told, he wishes we had more showers (we only have the two!). Kaci would like to be a police officer or, alternatively, sell gourmet street food. What’s most important to him is that he’s outside and gets to work with people in the community.

Macala’s mother has suffered from bipolar disorder all Macala’s life. Macala is 25. Although Macala’s mother took medication, this was not always adequate or effective – in the past, Macala was able to stay with relatives or friends if the relationship between mother and daughter became fraught.

Earlier this year however, Macala’s mother suffered a manic episode so severe that Macala was forced to leave her family home in Enfield. With nowhere to stay, Macala contacted Eaves and they provided her with emergency shelter in Enfield before referring her to Shelter from the Storm. Macala joined us in mid January, returning to a part of London well known to her in her childhood – her grandfather lived in Angel.

Initially she was nervous about her employment prospects but a month after settling in to the shelter she found work in West London. She enjoys her new job, and the company of her colleagues, considerably. Next week Macala will move into a room in North London. She is excited about the move and looking forward to decorating her new bedroom. Recently Macala reestablished contact with her mother and they are taking tentative steps towards rebuilding their relationship.

Margaret is 62. “But everybody tells me I look younger”, she says. She came to London 25 years ago from Poland, where she’d worked as a German translator.

She began by studying English, initially planning to return home. However, she stayed on, working in pubs and cafés, cleaning and looking after children. “I’ve always liked London”, she says: “I used to go out a lot, to plays and concerts.” But as the economic climate worsened, work dried up. She could no longer afford her room and became homeless: “I spent five weeks at Victoria coach station, sleeping sitting up”, she says, shuddering as she’s now been at SFTS for several months and cherishes having a bed: “After losing it all and being out on the street, you appreciate everything here”, she says: “The shelter is like a university of life — you have time to learn to cope and to get to know yourself better.

She hopes to find work and become independent again. “I’m still around and my brain works”, she laughs. She’d like to use her languages or work with children. Another dream is to travel to Nepal, or somewhere in South America: “I was born in the mountains, so I love climbing and trekking.

Margaret says she used to see the downside, even when good things happened. But that’s changed since arriving at the shelter. “When you’re down, you have no choice”, she says, “I’ve never been so positive in my life”.