Callum's story is one of a short series of case studies about people who have recently come to the Booth Centre for support.

"I really hate being bored; I love to spend my time keeping busy. A few months ago I ended up sleeping rough again, but managed to get accommodation in a dry hostel. 

I get a great sense of achievement doing activities at the Booth Centre and have joined the Art, Drama and Streetwise Opera groups. I also put myself forward to volunteer as Streetwise Ambassador. I helped out a local theatre group at the Contact theatre to give them ideas of what to put in their play, and I will be going to see the play itself in a few week’s time. 

Coming to the activities gets me out of my room, stops me feeling isolated and prevents me getting annoyed at my situation at the hostel, as I'm still waiting to get my own place. I like being independent. However, I can find that when I leave the centre and go home I can get bored easily again. 

I really love baking and have been getting more and more creative with my cakes recently. I have started baking in my hostel and bringing the results into Drama and Streetwise Opera sessions. I love seeing other people enjoy my creations; it helps my self-esteem and I like to help other people. What I really like to do is take a classic recipe and put my own twist on it; like Battenberg with icing instead of Marzipan, or sponge cake with bananas, jam and coconut on top. 

I get people to taste my recipes and get feedback to make them even better. I feel it helps me work towards more independence, helps me move forward. In future I would like to offer to help do some baking groups at the Booth Centre if they can fit me into the timetable!"


Update: We've agreed that as soon as Callum moves into his own bedsit we'll buy him some proper baking equipment.

Thank you to all the people that have given permission for us to share their stories. Names and some details have been changed to protect anonymity. 

Neil's story is the second in a short series of case studies about people who have recently come to the Booth Centre for support.

"I started coming to the Centre as I needed something to eat and drink. I became homeless after I sold my house. While I still had some money from it I was fine, but when it ran out I had nowhere to go. I didn’t have a GP or benefits and I was just walking the streets.

It took me a while to get used to coming to the Centre but they began to ask me what help I needed and suggested how I could get some accommodation. I am now registered with a local doctor, am receiving benefits and have somewhere to live, as well as being in touch with a mental health worker. I feel healthier and the activities provided at the Centre have rekindled my interest in the arts. I am doing more things for enjoyment, and the other people who come to the Centre are nice.

I am doing a number of courses at the Centre but what I would particularly like to do is to learn the guitar. I am quite keen to go and do courses at other places. Ultimately I would like to live overseas one day. My short term goal is to buy a guitar, as my music is really important to me. At the moment the most urgent thing would be to buy a CD player and radio. My flat is really quiet and empty."


Update: We bought Neil a CD/radio and Matt has given him some CDs. We are currently looking to provide a guitar for Neil in time for the start of the beginners guitar class at Back On Track, an Adult Education Centre on Swan Street.

Thank you to all the people that have given permission for us to share their stories. Names and some details have been changed to protect anonymity. 

Richard's story is the first in a short series of case studies about people who have recently come to the Booth Centre for support. 

"I lost my flat because I started getting into difficulty and didn't ask for help in time. I ended up sofa-surfing for a number of weeks. I came to the Booth Centre because I knew they wouldn't judge me. 

I have formed friendships through the drop-ins and activities here. I really enjoy helping other people who are in a similar situation, or who are struggling more than I am. I can often give other people advice because I've been there too. 

I like keeping busy and having something to do with my day. I am busy job searching at the moment and making the room in my hostel more homely. The bedding I have has cigarette burns in it and the pillows are flat, and although everything is clean it would make a difference to get some decent bedding. I suffer from insomnia quite a bit and I think it would help with that. It would also be something that I could take with me when I move into my own place.

Previously I've worked in the catering industry and the Booth Centre has helped me develop my skills in cooking, which is a real passion of mine. It would be great to help run the cookery classes at the Centre at some point. It can be hard to cook hearty meals for myself and friends without quality pots and pans though, and I'm keen to keep up my cooking skills for when I get back to work in the future. 

I am a very organised person and I like structure and boundaries when I'm working, but coming to the Booth Centre and doing activities like the art class are great because I feel like there are no right or wrong answers, and I can just get creative, express myself and have a laugh."


Update: We bought Richard new bedding, as well as some pots and pans. Richard is currently on a work placement with Business in the Community and we are now helping him to apply for his own flat.

Thank you to all the people that have given permission for us to share their stories. Names and some details have been changed to protect anonymity.