Former waiter Bruno, 41, became homeless and was sleeping in a park after he ran out of money. He said:
“I had been sofa surfing around town for a while. I tried to get help from Tower Hamlets and from Southwark, but they couldn’t help me. I spent some time staying in hostels you have to pay for, but my money soon disappeared on those.
“I had two rough nights sleeping in a park. It was cold, not good. I was a little bit depressed by the situation. I had lived in Lewisham before, since 2008, so I came back here.
“Then some friends, who had been in the same position I was in, told me about the 999 Club.
“I came down here [the 999 Club] on Monday 8 July [2019] and told people here about my experiences. They checked my records and signed me up to the Night Shelter that day.
“In the beginning, because it is a new thing, you wonder what you will get. But you see everyone is amazing, friendly and in the same situation. I have made a few nice friends. There are nice people here who have ended up in the same position – everyone has their own problems, but the end situation is the same.
“This has ended up being a good experience. The friendships you get from people when they don’t have anything are strong.
“When you are homeless you don’t have any money or anyone to support you with getting on track. So I used everything offered to me at the Gateway Centre – the staff and volunteers supported me with everything – a bed, bedding, showers and food.
“They also helped me to find somewhere to stay – they went into the system, found properties available, set me up with viewings and gave me a travel card to go to see the houses.
“For me, it was easy. I’ve been here for 10 days and I’ve already found somewhere – a shared house near Plumstead. I’m cleaning it up and doing some repairs then I move in. I have been very lucky.
“Everyone at the 999 Club has been five stars – 10 stars. They have been so nice and caring. They see where you have problems and how they can help you most of all. And it worked for me – they helped me a lot.
“If I hadn’t come to the 999 Club, I would be in the same situation – homeless. When you are homeless, you get more homeless. You have nothing. But just a little bit of help can help you a lot to get your life back and let you continue forward.
“I’m looking forward to my new place, and finding a job again.”