2019, I was living a hellhole. And it was a private hell hole, run by a private landlord.

I was able to go into the property in 2005 after a relationship breakdown where I lost my home.

I lived there for almost 12 years without incident. And then the local councils, I don’t know what they did, but they did a deal with a would-be landlord. And they invited vulnerable people – in my experience – they invited the drug dealers in, intimidation in, without no recompense.

The drug dealers invited violence into my home. It was a reclaimed Mill site in Chorley. And I thought it was going to be safe. But it turned out to be a nightmare.

On a nightly basis, there would be screaming, and whooping and hollering outside my door. Through the council policy they invited a very disturbed man next door, well my neighbour, who made my life hell. Psychotic, and flying on crack. And had a history of violence.

So after a time of peace there was chaos, absolute chaos. I was intimidated, and assaulted. And I tried to get support to deal with him, I went to the police, I went to the councils, and they did nothing. Nobody listened. 

Now the place where I lived became encrusted in black mould. The condensation during the winter months – it used to drip off my windows. And the only advice that they could say was ‘open the windows’. But when it’s minus 5, or hardcore winter times… in the end I couldn’t afford to put the heating on because it was pointless. Pointless.

I did absolutely everything to protect myself. And the business was taken over in 2011 by a – only describe it as a shark landlord – who lived up in Newcastle.

And eventually what it came down to, after multiple complaints with nothing, nothing was done. 

In September 2019 they all came down from Newcastle – these landlords – because I’d gone down the right routes and made official complaints, all recorded. And then this woman came down, with all their cronies, and basically asked what’s all the fuss about?

I’d been campaigning to put CCTV in to record all that bollocks. They did, but I don’t think it was ever recorded.

So I remember it today. Her knocking on my door and I gave her both barrels, As a result she gave me a section 22, an eviction notice.

And then, on that premise, I went straight to the council and they said don’t worry about it. It’ll take months. But the stress was astounding, and to this day still scars me. And they did nothing. All the authorities that I reported all the stuff that was happening, nothing was done. Nothing.

By that time my addiction was almost out of control. But luckily, after engaging with CGL for six months, I was given the privilege of going into treatment.

So I was away from all that. It was truly a terrible place.

On the day I left, I left all of my possessions and just packed what I needed into one bag and went. ‘See ya, and f*** off’. Because it was just getting worse. I mean the stuff that was happening in that place, all run by private landlords, thank goodness I was able to get out of that place.

So, this is my home today. A place of peace. The reason why I’m here today is because I went through a treatment process – drug addiction, alcohol.  And it took quite a long, long time, but this is my journey. Because I dedicated myself to a change of life, that’s what it was. And as a result, I received the support that I needed.

So I live in supported housing, October 2022. And it’s been a godsend it really has. Just to have that place of security, that’s what it is. And also it’s a lovely place. I’m supported with heating, council tax support, I have support through Universal Credit. So at the moment, I’m alright.

But without the support that I’ve had over the years – and it’s taken years – I think, and I was homeless for a very, very short time – I think without the support I’d be dead in the street today. I really would. No two ways about it.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a challenge living here, on a pretty big council estate. So all the same old bollocks goes on. Drug dealing and wandering zombies, but I just try to keep myself to myself. And just be cool about it, you know. Because I am a very lucky bar steward.

And that’s where it is. I feel very grateful about where I am today. So that’s my little story, morning glory.

I could tell you awful lot about stuff, history. But I won’t – all I want to say, is given the right support, people can change their lives completely. And I’ve experienced that massively. Massively.

So there is hope out there. But people in truly dreadful places need support. And need guidance as well. Because without the support and guidance over the years, well, enough said.

So thank you for letting me speak.

Cheers.