Read Tina's story

Tina has been sleeping rough for about two years now.

It all started when drug dealers moved in next door to her. She put up with the threats and her house being smashed up for as long as she could. But when one of them put a gun to her head, she knew she had to leave. The council would not re-house her so she ended up coming to London and sleeping rough.

She had family in London, but did not want to be a burden to them as her father was ill at the time. So she went onto the streets, an experience she describes as ‘scary, very scary’. She met her boyfriend Nolan on the streets and says that he helps her keep going.

How Crisis has helped

Tina and Nolan would like to get a place, but they can’t get into a hostel because he has a conviction for arson, which means no hostel will accept him – even though the conviction is from 20 years ago. They come to Crisis most days and use the art room. Tina has done some courses in literacy too.

Tina wants to move on, but needs someone to give her and Nolan a chance to do it.

You can also watch Tina tell her story on a short video.