Rough sleeper thanks charity for saving his life

Dan has been living in his car for a month and says the charity "saved his life"

A man who has been living in his car for a month has thanked the charity he says saved his life.

Dan from Peterborough lost his home after losing his job and having a relationship breakdown.

He is being helped by the Light Project Peterborough which supports rough sleepers.

The charity said the "worst-case scenario" was people dying on the streets.

Dan said he became homeless because of mental health issues and that sleeping in his car in colder weather had been "absolutely awful".

"It's hard to do absolutely anything; my sleeping has been a bit of a nightmare," he said.

"I didn't have a sleeping bag for a few days and it wore me down."

Dan, who had a well-paid job but has complex post-traumatic stress disorder, said people did not realise how hard it was for homeless people.

"It is dehumanising. You just need to feel part of the community," he said.

Peer member Virginia Wright has been helping to support Dan at the Garden House

He said someone saw him in his car and gave him the charity's number.

"I gave those guys a ring and I haven't looked back. They did save my life," he said.

Steven Pettican says four new people have arrived at the charity's doorstep on just one day this week

The charity's chief executive, Steven Pettican, said the increase in demand for its services was "worrying".

This time last year the charity's Garden House day support centre was seeing up to 20 people a day. This year, it has risen to up to 100.

Mr Pettican said: "There are people we are supporting that are at risk of severe health problems, being very unwell, and, worst-case scenario, dying on the streets."

He said the charity has helped get 100 people off the streets since January.

"There is a cost-of-living crisis and people are experiencing more relationship breakdowns and mental health issues," he said.

"We are trying to give people new hope and aspirations."

Virginia Wright is now giving back to the charity that helped her off the streets

Virginia Wright was living in a tent two years ago when she was helped by the charity.

Now she acts as a peer supporter to help clients. "I just think back to when I was in their situation," she said.

"It is important to give back, but I don't think I can ever give back all that I was given."

The charity's Garden House day centre offers support to help people stay healthy and get off the streets

Dan said he was now feeling more positive about the future, thanks to the charity.

"They are there every step of the way. I feel absolutely fantastic," he said.

"I feel human again".