Big Issue seller's journey from 'gutter' to palace

"I was down in the gutter, below the rats in the street, but now thanks to Jimmy's and all of the charities for helping, I am where I am," said Eamonn Kelly

A Big Issue seller has been invited to Lambeth Palace as a champion of modular homes.

Eamonn Kelly, who sells the magazine on Trinity Street in Cambridge, said he was "down in the gutter, below the rats" before being helped by the homelessness charity, Jimmy's.

In 2022, the Cambridge-based group supported him in moving into a small prefab home, and he is now three years sober.

Mr Kelly, who was invited to the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, said modular homes were "a place to live" that gave people an "identity".

The grandfather, originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, moved to Coventry and later to Cambridge.

He has been selling the Big Issue on Trinity Street for 16 years and said he had worked hard to keep himself "out of trouble and away from drugs and alcohol".

An example of some modular houses in Cambridgeshire

Mr Kelly said he now wanted to to help others who were "less fortunate" by working for the drugs and alcohol team in Cambridge.

"When you're down the alcohol and drugs route you don't care about the people around you, you just care about the next drink and more drugs, I am standing up at the top now," he said.

"I've been off the drink 10 years and I've been off the crack cocaine for three years. It wasn't easy but I've done it now and turned that corner for the better.

"I just want to put time into people, which people put the time into me."

While living in a modular home Mr Kelly was visited by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

He said the homes "made a difference" and gave people a "stature in life, an identity, a place to get a bank account, a driving licence - a start".

Mr Kelly, who has since moved into a council flat, was invited to Lambeth Palace on 22 September to speak about the impact of modular housing.

Jimmy's is a community-based charity that provides support and housing to people who are rough sleeping.

Natasha Davies, the chief executive, said it was a "privilege" to hear from Mr Kelly and the praise he had for Jimmy's staff.

She added that the modular homes had amenities, were "safe and secure" and pet-friendly.

John Heathorn, from the Ferry Project in Wisbech, which has six of the homes, said it was about the right location, support and educating people to manage addictions.

"I've lost count the amount of times I see tears in people's eyes... they can't believe you're going to give them something like this they can call home," he said.

He added there was a waiting list for the accommodation.

The Light Project Peterborough had similar accommodation pods which included a bed, toilet and shower.