Testimonial 1:

Just a short while ago my life was in absolute chaos. I was sleeping on friends sofas 3 nights a week and sleeping rough the rest of the week. I slept in derelict buildings, under railway bridges, and even slept in a rubbish skip from time to time. At the same time I was battling with a 20 yrs heroin addiction, and was at risk of relapsing every day, because of the lifestyle I was living and the people I was associating with.

Then I heard about Medway Cyrenians and my life has done a 360% turn around. I now have stability in my life and a place to live where I get support and help, enabling me to change my life for the better. I cant express the feeling of well-being I get from knowing I have a home where I can cook for myself, and have a shower every day.

I have a key-worker in place who is helping me to get ready for the next step in my recovery and preparing me for independent living. In all honesty I own my life to the open minds and hearts of all at Medway Cyrenians.

Testimonial 2:

I was on my own and out on the streets and had nowhere to live, when I was told about Cyrenians. After going through their process to move in, I was told I had a room. I was independent, holding down my job, and looking forward to finishing a course in childcare. I hope to achieve my goals working with children. With help from the staff I think I can do this. I am becoming more relaxed and confident, and looking forward to the future now.

Testimonial 3:

I first started taking drugs at the age of 20, and have been using for the last 24 years. My drug of choice was heroin which lend me to a life of prison for at least 3 times a year, and I have been homeless for most of my adult life.

My last time getting arrested I decided to change my way of life and get help, which came in the form of a drug rehabilitation order. I was still homeless when I first got the order, and then I got offered a place with Cyrenians. I took the help from the Cyrenians and the DRR and have led a drug free life for at least three months.

Testimonial 4:

"My second chance at life"

The first time I took drugs was in 1999, when I had to move out of my brother’s house. I moved into a hostel in Kent and whilst I was there met a girl, from back off the island. After a while her boyfriend and I met and I started smoke cannabis. They were both heroin addicts but I didn’t mind, I liked them anyway. One day they were about to take some heroin and they offered me a small amount; they asked if I’d used before and I said yes, even though I had never used before.

They had to inject into my arm because I couldn’t do it myself, and it was nice, it kept happening and chipping away at all my money to get some more. After about ten days I talked to my friend about going to sleep and waking up all sweating and freezing cold. They told me that I was clucking I said

‘’I’ve only been doing it for two weeks, that’s enough to get a habit?’’
And from then it was shoplifting, borrowing money, doing what I could to get the heroin. I was also taking other drugs and I overdosed within 3 months whilst I was at the hostel. I was thrown out because of that.

Then I moved into another hostel, and within 4 months overdosed again, and again I was kicked out. I was in and out of jail or on the streets. After being released from jail I went back on heroin and living on the streets. I managed to get on methadone and after a few months I was in court again for shop lifting, but instead of them sending me to jail, I was given a chance of a drug rehabilitation requirement (DRR) and at the same time was given some accommodation and wanting to get off heroin, it was a life saver.

I have been at Medway Cyrenians now for just over 6 months and off the heroin for about 7 months. This is the first order I have had, and it has helped me so much. I was sleeping in a shed and heading back for jail. But now I am moving through the system with Medway Cyrenians, my life is normal and I have more money to myself. I have put on about 3 stone in weight. I am so grateful to my key workers and all the staff at Medway Cyrenians and DRR.

I have plenty of support now, and I feel good about myself.

Testimonial 5:

"Celebration and tall ships"

Since moving into Medway Cyrenians I have been able to continue to do my day-to-day activities, which involve going to Fairbridge in Kent. My aim is become a Young Person Helper to give them back what they have done for me. Because I’m settled, I can continue to do the things I can to improve my self.

There was a Celebration Day which consisted of receiving certificates and achievements for young people. I received a certificate for playing a base guitar in front of a live audience. I played AC-DC Rock and Roll and I really enjoyed this – it was quite an experience!

I was asked to go on the Spirit of Fairbridge which is a tall ship where 12 young people spend their time team-building, confidence-building and basic skills. I set off from Chatham and made my way to Scotland and travelled around various locks for 5 days, then returned back to Kent.

I have now been invited to join the annual Tall Ships Race. This consists of a variety of tall ships from all over the world getting together and sailing from Liverpool to Norway. This is a chance in a life time experience for me. Hopefully when I have completed the trip, I will become a voluntary helper in Fairbridge, helping other young people change for the better.

Charity no. 1037970
Company no. 2897827