Scott gets a second chance at life thanks to Bath homeless charity

Scott has battled alcohol and drug addictions for much of his life.

He was abused as a child, drank his first pint at just eight-years-old and starting using heroin at 17.

And last year, he was admitted to hospital following an overdose.

But now, with the support of Julian House, Scott has turned his life around.

"I became addicted to alcohol very quickly," he said.

Alcohol soon turned to a dependency on drugs - cannabis aged 11, LSD by 12, ecstasy by 15 and heroin by 17.

After that, crack cocaine took over his life, and one substance replaced another.

"I used drugs to block things out," he said. "All I knew was drug - it was all I've ever known."

Scott entered the care system when he was just 14-years old-

He said: "I committed crimes, I stole cars and have been in prison three times.

"When I was on drugs, nothing else mattered."

Scott rehabilitated himself from crime and started working.

He said: "Working fed my habit. I was a functioning addict. No-one knew anything about it, my employers, my family. When you are an addict, you're capable of doing things above and beyond, to be able to feed that thing."

As a result, Scott's health suffered, and he was admitted to hospital several times.

After losing his job and tenancy, Scott was homeless for three years and was forced to sleep in his car and on friends' sofas. Drugs were his way of self-medicating pain.

He said: "I've suffered from depression for a long time now, but it was clouded by drugs. I had nowhere to live - I lost my partner to drugs, I lost my job, again, it was pretty dark."

Last year, Scott overdosed on medication.

After being in a coma for four days, Scott realised this was the moment to change. He was also on the brink of losing contact with his young daughter.

Scott was encouraged to apply for a place in supported housing at Julian House.

He said: "I had to be tested (for drugs and alcohol) every four weeks to make sure I was clean. I messed up a couple of times and then thought this is it. This is a chance! I've got to take this chance."

Scott moved into a Julian House place in January 2020.

He said: "I've had weekly key-working sessions, I got a lot of help with social services, housing benefit, maintaining my abstinence with regular testing, and my mental health.

"Lockdown was very hard because they [Scott's support workers] couldn't come in, but Geraldine kept phoning and helped me to fight to get this flat. It had to come from me, but I was very well supported and was never judged. I owe a lot to Geraldine."

Scott is now living in his own flat, has a full-time job that he is passionate about, has been abstinent since January and is looking forward to running another half-marathon for Julian House.

Scott said: "I feel very grateful to have been given another chance. My future now is to give my daughter the best life she deserves."

InYourArea, Bath.Live and Bath Chronicle are supporting Julian House as it calls on the public to support its Christmas appeal so they can continue to help people like Scott.

This year, the charity needs your help more than ever. For those without a home, sleeping on the streets, escaping domestic abuse and living with addiction and/or mental health issues, every day has been one of struggle and worry.

The need for Julian House's services has dramatically increased, just when their income streams have been seriously reduced.

The pandemic has led to most fundraising events to be cancelled and the charity and bike shops to temporarily close. This vital voluntary income is paramount to fund the services that Julian House provides.

The charity has managed to offer every homeless person on the streets of Bath a roof over their heads via the 'Everyone In' initiative. They worked around the clock to fit out 40 extra units of accommodation. However, winter brings a whole new set of challenges.

Last year the appeal beat its record and raised over £166,00 which has made life-changing improvements to Julian House's services. This year the target for the appeal is £170,000.

CEO of Julian House, Helen Bedser said: "We are very reliant on the funding and the support that we get from local people.

"It's going to be more difficult for local people to raise money than usual as they can't run community activities and events, so we're asking people to think creatively.

"In the first lockdown there was the 'Everyone In' initiative and in lockdown two there wasn't an 'Everyone In' mark 2. We've used our own resources which wouldn't have been possible without the support and donations we received during our appeal. We used our own resources to have an offer for everyone to come in."

You can donate to the Christmas Appeal via the JustGiving page or ring 01225 354656.

You can also help by being an extra pair of eyes for Julian House. If you see someone on the street who needs help, please call Streetlink on 0300 500 0914.

Shine a spotlight on Bath, Somerset by becoming an Area Ambassador. Click here to learn more!

For confidential support the Samaritans can be contacted for free around the clock 365 days a year on 116 123.