By: Karl Kipling, former customer at The Crossings in Hull

I lost my brother when he was 16 years old, I was just 10 at the time. This had a profound impact on my life. He had a heart problem and knew he was dying. He said goodbye to my family, his friends and myself before he passed away.

I left school early. I didn’t enjoy school but I was good at other things like sports and cycling. As I didn’t think much to school I used to sign in and then come back home on the bus. My mam knew what I was doing but couldn’t do anything about it. After leaving school I did a few work placements. One of these was demolishing building and salvaging bricks and York stone. This was a great job but other things were happening in my life, gradually things started falling apart.

I never had much confidence growing up and started using drugs when I was 16. It started off as a weekend thing. I did it with friends and it gave me the confidence to go out and have fun. This then led me to commit petty crimes to feed my habit and I was in and out of prison for nine years.

I remember first becoming homeless. Me and my mam had always been close. I don’t know what I’d do with out her but I started stealing and taking things from her home. My drug use spiralled out of control. It got too much for my mam, she had already lost one son, I had to leave home. For a few months I was sofa surfing with friends but often I found myself sleeping on the street.

Last year I was awarded a room at The Crossings. It’s spot on here. If you need anything, or you’re stuck, they’ll help you out. Every Thursday I attended resettlement workshops. These are run by Michelle, one of Riverside’s volunteers. She helped me with budgeting and finding suitable move-on accommodation, and after five weeks I was successfully awarded my first ever flat. Its everything I’ve wanted. My relationship with my family has really improved. My mam has been putting up curtains and has given me a microwave.

I know I can pop back into The Crossings any time for help. Next week I am spending the day fishing with RENEW at Pickering Park. I’m looking at joining a local gym too so that I keep myself occupied and away from old habits. I’m feeling good about myself and happy to finally have my own place.