Homeless man says 'it can happen to anyone'

Stewart Woods owned his own home before he lost his job and marriage

A former home owner who was married and had a good job before becoming homeless has said "it can happen to anyone".

Stewart Woods, who ended up sleeping under Southport Pier, lost his home after his marriage fell apart and he was made redundant.

The 64-year-old said sleeping rough for six months was "scary" but he got help from homeless charity Emmaus and has lived at their Merseyside centre for ten years.

Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government figures show a 70% year-on-year increase in people sleeping rough across Merseyside last year.

Mr Woods said: "If this can happen to me, if I could end up homeless, then it could happen to anyone."

He had a "well-paying" job and he and his wife owned their home before his marriage broke down, his mother died and he was made redundant.

'Felt like six years'

"Before I knew it, I was on the streets," he said.

"I used to sleep on Southport Pier, which was quite scary, and I was sleeping rough for about six months – it felt like six years.

"When you experience a few knocks, it can put you in a vulnerable position pretty quickly."

Emmaus Merseyside's head of operations Katie Foster said it could be "really difficult for people to tell their story" when they come to the charity.

"Not everyone has the tools and sometimes you can only cover the surface," she said.

The former PE teacher added: "What is great to witness is the transformation in people's lives.

"I have seen so many people's lives improve and it really is amazing to see that and help them flourish."

Mr Woods said he was "just grateful I found this place and got back on my feet".