A MAN who was made homeless at the age of just 19 believes a Southend charity saved his life.

Jack Wakeling struggled with drug and alcohol addiction before facing up to living rough on the streets.

Following the death of his father – who had taken him in – Jack’s alcohol and drug use became a coping mechanism but resulted in him losing jobs and, eventually, his home.

Jack, now 25, went to Southend’s homeless charity Harp in June 2019 after being evicted by his landlord.

Without the charity’s help, Jack feels he might not be here today.

He said: “I might have killed myself either intentionally or accidentally.

“I’d been into hospital for problems with my liver and heart, which was made worse by the drink and drugs, and in the weeks before I came to Harp I had been contemplating suicide every day.

“One day I might have gone through with it but since being here it’s not even crossed my mind.

“Now I feel I’m able to become a productive member of society and move forward.”

After moving into a homeless shelter, reality kicked in for Jack.

He added: “I was terrified. Before I came to Harp I was in a really dark place mentally.

“My mum knew I needed more support than she could give me so she brought me.

“I didn’t know what was going to happen but the thing that scared me the most was knowing that I couldn’t drink anymore.

“I just knew I had to stop. I looked around and saw where it had got me to so far – I was moving into a homeless shelter – and I thought ‘this is real’.”

Jack made the most of the support available at Harp’s Bradbury Day Centre, attending CBT, recovery groups, art sessions, and tai chi lessons.

He was also able to access other local agencies including Southend Treatment and Recovery Service and local 12-step programmes for drug and alcohol recovery.

Jack’s life has turned around.

Now in recovery, Jack has been studying an Access to Higher Education Diploma and working part-time.

He has also applied to study psychology at university, where he will move into student accommodation.

Jack added: “I’d never really done anything to sort my life out before but the people at Harp were really nice.

“I can’t thank this place enough for what it’s done for me. Before this I didn’t have support around me but sometimes you just need someone to say ‘I believe in you’.”