"We have stuck behind each other," say Anthony Smith and Samantha Riley, who found themselves sleeping rough on the streets of Nottingham amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Anthony, now 48, became homeless for the very first time when he was just 21 and has lived his life on and off the streets ever since.
He lost his leg seven years ago following complications with an injecting site, leaving him bound to a wheelchair.
The pair met around the same time, when Samantha, 42, had just recently become homeless and very nearly took her own life until Anthony convinced her otherwise.
It was from here on they would remain together, eventually landing a bungalow in Clifton.
However in February this year, at a time when the coronavirus pandemic first became apparent in the UK, they lost their council tenancy.
Homelessness charity Framework says it had been "cuckooed" by another group who vandalised their home and "drove them out".
Once again Anthony and Samantha were back on the streets having felt "all hope was lost" on their property in Clifton.
"I met Sam at the Scouts' hut in Forest Fields seven years ago," Anthony said.
"She is my rock. I've been homeless on and off since I was 21. I have stayed here, there and everywhere in disabled toilets, I've slept in Arnot Hill Park and doorways in the city.
"Sometimes when you go to sleep you have people spitting on you, urinating and robbing you. It's awful.
"We have stuck behind each other, if one was awake at night the other would be asleep, taking it in turns to keep each other safe," Samantha added.
"You would have people kicking you, urinating on you. There were some nice people who helped us, like the people who used to come round with hot drinks and food."
They spent months travelling around the country, staying with friends in the north of England before returning to Nottingham where they slept once again on the streets.
Nottingham City Homes began proceedings to repossess the bungalow in Clifton, which had since been sealed up due to the level of damage, and the pair had racked up thousands of pounds in rent arrears.
Eventually, Framework's street outreach team, who go out every morning at 5am to offer help and support to those on the streets, made contact with them in September.
It was here their fraught situation began to change for the better.
They were both put up in the Jury's Inn in Station Street as part of the controversial Government 'Everyone In' policy, whereby local authorities and charities were tasked with getting all rough sleepers somewhere safe to stay during the pandemic.
Anthony, who has paranoid schizophrenia, said the staff at the hotel "were very polite" and Samantha explained that never were they "looked down on" during their stay.
Framework, during this time, consulted Nottingham City Homes and a plan of action was devised for them, including a payment plan for their debt and eventual plans to move them back into their bungalow once it is repaired.
Anthony said: "I'm totally clean now. This has all 100 percent been down to Framework."
"It was scary being on the streets with Covid going around, because they closed the centres down and soup runs stopped," Samantha added.
"Anthony has now started the gym. They are helping us with all of our bills like TV licence and they don't forget about us.
"They have helped Anthony get back on his medication. I do not know what we would have done without them."
Framework says its services are however becoming "overstretched" due to the pandemic, meaning those who have been entrenched on the streets for many years - like Anthony and Samantha - may not get the support they need as more new faces appear on the streets.
Charities therefore fear the pandemic may lead to a new generation of homeless people.
Oliver Wilkinson-Dale, a social worker who is embedded in Framework's outreach team, has worked with the couple to get them the help they need.
He told Nottinghamshire Live: "Anthony requires the use of a wheelchair and we were very worried about him and he had a very complex housing situation.
"The house had been taken over and was completely unsuitable but we were able to work very quickly with adult social care, which responded very well.
"The thing that has worked really well with them was the two new resettlement workers who help them with council tax and bills so they are not overwhelmed.
"We used to see a lot of people who moved into a place and all that admin can cause more anxiety that actually living indoors.
"Anthony and Sam are amazing to work with, they are motivated themselves and we are continuing to help them."
Homeless to Home' Winter Appeal
On October 8 the Nottingham Post joined forces once again with homelessness charity Framework for the launch of its 'Homeless to Home' winter fundraising appeal.
Framework's new appeal is aiming to raise as much money as possible, running from October 8 until January 31, when the Beat the Streets festival takes place.
Please donate to the campaign by following the simple instructions below:
Online: http://www.frameworkha.org/nottinghamshirelive
Alternatively, you can send a check, payable to Framework, by post:
Framework,
Val Roberts House,
25 Gregory Boulevard,
Nottingham NG7 6NX
Please supply your full name and address so Framework can acknowledge your gift.
Please indicate whether Framework can claim Gift Aid.
If you wish to speak to the Framework fundraising team please email fundraising@frameworkha.org or call 0115 970 9558.
