Before my mother remarried when I was 17, I lived with her and my younger brother and sister in Glasgow.
My mother knew I was gay: it was a don't ask, don't tell situation. Our relationship was never fantastic; I remind her too much of my dad. She told me that once.
I didn't know my stepfather very well before they were married. When he started to live with us, it was, at first, a wee shove here and there. He wasn't supportive of me being gay. It wasn't instantaneous, but as you get more comfortable with people you let your prejudices out. Before I left, [my mother] had seen it. He had almost pushed me down a flight of stairs; she saw it and raised an eyebrow, and continued with her night. She had condoned his behaviour, that was my view.
I ended up staying with the guy I was seeing. I was probably a wee bit rose-coloured about the relationship. Initially it went really well. He got transferred to London with his job, which was better than my job [in a hotel]. So he asked me to come down with him. But then it exploded – he got paranoid. I am not the easiest person and he was jealous. It was one of those big stupid arguments and I ended up out on the street. I literally had nowhere to go.
I was sleeping on the streets for five or six months. The first two weeks are definitely the hardest, not knowing where your next meal is coming from. You're lying there terrified, trying to get a bit of sleep. I had a sleeping bag, but that was it.
Outreach workers referred me to Centrepoint and I moved in that night. The staff at the Greek Street [hostel] are fabulous. I have been there for five or six months now. I have started counselling, which is useful for getting an outside perspective. The other people around are emotionally supportive, too – sensitive to young people's needs. Also, there is a health team, looking after the physical side of your development, who are the right kind of pushy.
The trouble that a lot of people have is asking for the help, but if Centrepoint can't provide it, they'll point you in the right direction. They have the learning team that will help you into education and employment. They give you the tools to thrive in life. They are the door in what is often a dark period in a young person's life. They help you get off the streets and lead productive, fulfilling lives.
Now I'm involved in Centrepoint's Got Talent – it's due to be brilliant. I'm involved in the planning group for that. It's showcasing the dreams and aspirations of Centrepoint's young people. It's an X Factor-style talent show, minus the winners and losers. There's singing, dancing and film-making. It's very much youth led.
As to how I see my future, I don't know yet. I want a flat and a job, but I'm not looking beyond that for the moment.
Tom is an assumed name. Interviewed by Sue George.
A warm, safe room
Like Tom, Lucy was scared and alone until Centrepoint gave her the support she needed
Growing up with an alcoholic mother and violent stepfather, Lucy slept wherever she could to escape her home, and was being targeted by pimps and drug dealers. Referred to Centrepoint, Lucy was given a warm, safe room of her own and the practical support she needed to regain her confidence. From someone who thought she would end up dead, Lucy is now able to make plans for a bright future.
But there are plenty of young people in a similar situation to Lucy who still need all the help and guidance Centrepoint can provide.
You can sponsor a room for just 40p a day and help a young homeless person like Lucy or Tom off the streets and into a warm, safe room.
But your generosity will mean more than just a room: it will give someone like Lucy access to counselling and support to overcome traumas from their past, training and advice to help them into college or employment, and essential life skills to help them live independent and fulfilling lives. To sponsor a room, visit centrepointroom.org.uk/xmas
For other ways to support homeless young people this Christmas, visit centrepointgifts.org.uk/xmas and centrepointchristmas.org.uk/xmas
