I was as low as I could get; this was some months ago now.  I knew about the Harlow Homeless Centre and was using it but I was very low still and living in a tent by the river.

If it hadn’t been for the Harlow Homeless Centre and all the work they do I think I would have been ill or at worse dead.  Remember this was winter time.

I then heard about the Maybury Centre at St Pauls

I went over with my friend Nick, where I was made to feel welcome by everyone and they gave me a cup of most welcome tea and something to eat.  I soon became part of the family and people at the centre became my friends.

I then went off the rails which happened after an accumulation of a lot of things, cold weather being the main factor.

I then got a car to sleep in but soon got nicked and went to Prison for two and a half months.

In prison I started to think about my life

Where I was going, then something came in the post that synchronised my thoughts and helped me to focus more clearly.

It was letters from my friends at the Maybury Centre saying that they were praying for me, which was very encouraging as previously I had asked the vicar at the church if I could play “The Old Rugged Cross” hymn with my guitar, which I did.

I think this was when I decided to sort my life out and with the help of my probation officer I managed to get a home for myself in Old Harlow after I was released from prison.

I would hate to think what my life would have been like if I had not had he help from kind and dedicated people and I would like to thank them here.