AN ARMY veteran who found himself sleeping rough has shared his story, after finding support and housing through Taunton's Arc charity.
Chris, 49, became homeless just over a year ago in Bridgwater, Somerset. After a couple of weeks of sleeping rough Chris was offered sheltered accommodation with Arc.
Having previously served as a soldier in the British Army, in the Royal Logistics Corps, Chris' veteran status was identified and he was offered a room in one of Arc's satellite properties in Taunton, Victory House.
Victory House is a temporary homeless accommodation solely for homeless veterans and can house up to eight veterans.
Chris told the Gazette: "I found myself homeless after a bad relationship and went to the British Legion Hub in Bridgwater who put me in contact with Arc.
Chris served in the Royal Logistics Corps. (Image: Chris/Arc)
"I went for an interview with them and when I got to Victory House, there's two ways you can go — you can become dependent on staying in your room and maybe drinking or whatever else, or you can make yourself a better life and that's what I did.
"I have suffered with my mental health since I left the Army in 2003 and was told by an assessment I did with Courage that I have complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
"I went through therapy while I was at Victory House, through Help For Hero's service Hidden Wounds, and got back onto my regular anti-depressant medication and counselling.
"I went to a local charity shop, St Margaret's Hospice on East Reach, and started doing voluntary work. Getting out of the house kept me going, and I'd work seven days a week sometimes, I felt like I was worth something and it was nice meeting new people.
"I just wanted to make something of myself, and felt like it was my chance."
Chris "engaged well" with support staff at Victory House, where he stayed for just under a year, and it wasn't long before he developed the confidence to start working towards gaining the qualifications he wanted to "better his life".
Within the first six months, Chris had completed ten educational courses, including the “Tenant Ready Scheme” hosted locally by the YMCA and designed to prepare individuals for the responsibilities of being a housing tenant.
Homefinder Somerset recognised the completion of the course and after actively bidding every week Chris was recently offered his own flat in Chard.
Chris added: "Arc has given me a roof over my head, and if it wasn't for them I could have been anywhere. I took on a security course at the Job Centre, and now I have got my security licence."
The NHS armed forces project had recognised two locations within Somerset to become “Armed Forces Hubs”, one being Arc in Taunton and the other being Ark at Egwood based in Merriott. Each site would also have its own dedicated armed forces link worker.
Chris not only engaged well with Louis as the Armed Forces Link worker at Victory House but since moving closer to Merriott he now benefits from the support offered by Jon, the Armed Forces Link Worker at Ark at Egwood.
Chris hopes to soon start as a volunteer at Ark and aspires to eventually work as a veteran’s peer support worker within the NHS. He has started a Facebook support group and breakfast club for veterans in Chard, which can be found by searching "Veterans Chat and Support Group. Chard and Surrounding Areas".
A spokesperson for Taunton's Arc charity said: "Chris’ story not only demonstrates his own strength and resolve during austerity but also proves that by integrating armed forces specialist roles within mainstream services help and support can be accessed."
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