A young Londoner who slept on his dining room floor while studying for his dream career has earnt a rare lab placement at King's College Hospital.
Stephen, who had to seek help from a homeless charity as a teenager, will spend time working in the neurology department.
The 27-year-old moved to London from Ghana when he was 17, but faced challenges as he tried to create a new life in the capital.
While studying for his A Levels, he lived in cramped conditions alongside several family members in a three-bedroom home in east London.
He wound up sleeping on the dining room floor and the situation became so difficult that he had to seek help from Centrepoint.
The charity eventually helped him secure his own property and Stephen went on to gain a first class honours degree in biomedical sciences from the University of East London.
He now wants to become a doctor so he can “be an impact in someone’s life” and says the placement is a step in the right direction.
He said: “I didn’t really have my own room or space. I slept in a dining room that was detached from the kitchen, it was uncomfortable.
“It was difficult. Most of the time I would have to study in other places.”
Stephen moved to the UK to be reunited with his family.
But Stephen said he found it "really, really tough” to study in those conditions.
He got in touch with Ilford Council, who referred him to the charity.
The charity gave him funds to travel to and from his college and university, and helped him move to a property in nearby Redbridge.
He also supported himself by working at Tesco, part time.
Stephen, now a qualified biomedical scientist, has also won an education award from Centrepoint for his efforts.
The award, which was endorsed by Prince William, was given to Stephen because he showed “great strength of character”, according to Seyi Obkin, Centrepoint’s CEO.
Speaking about his award, Stephen said: “My dad couldn’t believe it. It felt really, really great. The fact that it was endorsed by Prince William is such a good feeling.”
Describing his dreams to work in medicine, he added: “I’ve always wanted to study medicine and become a doctor.
“I enjoy making a change in someone’s life, helping them and making someone feel better. I want to be able to make an impact in someone’s life.”
