Algimantas' story

Originally from Lithuania, Algimantas has been supported by Crisis in Oxford since 2012 and a Crisis member since January 2023. At one point in his life, he was forced to sleep in a tent - even though he was working. When he lost his job, he moved into a local hostel temporarily before his Lead Worker, Will at Crisis found him a vacant room.

Algimantas has been living in his new home for just over a month, and loves it. His landlord is very happy with him. Algimantas is grateful for the financial support provided by Crisis which has enabled him to pay his first month’s rent. The support from Crisis has also enabled him to purchase furniture, which was essential as the room was virtually unfurnished when he moved in.

Algimantas is also extremely grateful to Will for his advice help and practical support in finding suitable accommodation.

“He is cool. He is a very nice person. Seriously, I respect this man. He is doing a good job and he has a lot of experience.”

While, like many other people, he's finding it challenging to make ends meet in the current cost-of-living crisis, Algimantas is glad that he's no longer living on the streets or sofa-surfing. He recalls the moment he told himself that he could no longer continue living a life of such uncertainty and lack of security.

“That’s it. Enough. I’m becoming too old. I’m still on the streets with no college or normal work.”

Algimantas currently receives Universal Credit and housing benefit and his room costs £720.00 a month. He understands the need to live on a tight budget. Any increase in outgoings – however small – can be very difficult to manage. While he has experienced some issues in his new home including a faulty boiler which threated to increase his outgoings, Algimantas remains positive and optimistic about the future.

“When you stay too long on the street, you see a lot of bad things, you spend your life on the street like a lot of my friends. This is just a shared room but when I get a normal job, I will get a house and bring my girlfriend to the UK.”

On arrival, however, he sometimes found it challenging to communicate and, as a result, stressful. He struggled initially without a support system, until 2012 when he was supported by Crisis in Oxford.

“You’re the first people who helped me with English.”

He now offers friends experiencing homelessness support and advises them to seek help from others too. “I say to them, listen, come to my house. I feed you. You can stay two, three days. Then you go to Crisis, or you go to the council.”

Algimantas is also planning to develop his literacy and numeracy skills further by starting evening classes in English and Maths soon as he doesn’t have any UK qualifications.

“I want to go to the college, I want a part-time job, this is my mission. The more qualifications I have, the easier it is to find a good job.”

As well as Crisis support, Algimantas is also receiving support from St Mungo’s around employment opportunities. He appreciates the advice, information and support that he has been given by others which is both helping him to improve the quality of his life and inspire others to do the same.

“I respect you guys for trying to help people from the street. I really appreciate it.”