The following are real life stories of people that stayed at DENS. (All names have been changed to protect identities).

David's Story

David is a confident, bright, well educated man, skilled in information technology, who until recently never had trouble finding work.

Working from contract to contract, David knew that he should make provisions just in case work dried up, but his income was quickly absorbed by his expensive lifestyle. Unfortunately David had very poor budgeting skills and the reality of needing savings didn’t seem relevant until he was actually unable to renew his working contract. It only took 3 weeks for David to get evicted, the handshake arrangement he had with his landlord didn’t include a contract to protect him and there was no provision for ‘in between jobs’ or benefit claims.

Initially David stayed with a friend so things didn’t appear to be too bad. After a month David knew that he had out-stayed his welcome, and as he hadn’t been able to find another job he moved on to a Nightshelter in St Albans, and then came to DENS. David was grateful for the Nightshelter which meant that he didn’t have to sleep on the streets and for the Day Centre and library which provided a lifeline for him during the day. But as time went by and after further job rejections, his feelings of frustration and anger with himself grew and he found it increasingly hard to remain positive.

Now however, life is starting to turn around for David, he is currently in the process of securing an overseas contract, which if successful will give him a second chance. He was homeless for over six months and says he is determined to learn from the experience.

Zoe's Story

Zoe has three grown up children who are now all independent. She spent much of her life in the caring profession and lived comfortably with her partner Steve in accommodation tied to his job as a school caretaker. In the last few months before Zoe became homeless, Steve’s behaviour towards her became increasingly hostile and abusive. Eventually things came to a head after Steve returned late one evening from the pub. Zoe was physically thrown out of their home onto the street, and this time she had no intention of giving the relationship another chance.

Zoe had kept her personal circumstances private but now knew she had only one option for help, reluctantly she called her son. Zoe came to DENS where she felt safe, and was given help and advice to help her deal with her situation. Although things were far from ideal, Zoe felt like she had regained some control back in her life, she had a chance to reflect and consider what she wanted and what her future options were.

After only 5 weeks Zoe moved on to hostel accommodation. She is confident that she will return to work in the profession that she loves.

About a third of DENS Guests are dependent on alcohol or drugs. The following story gives a very realistic picture of one man that was addicted to alcohol and how this affected his chances of overcoming homelssness.

Ray's Story

Ray had been a drinker for 20 years and was heavily dependant on alcohol to see him through the day. Fortunately Ray had been given the opportunity of a place on a detox and rehabilitation programme but had to wait for his place to come up.

Ray stayed at DENS for over a month and managed to arrive at the Nightshelter in a reasonable condition most of the time. While he waited for his detox place, he filled his days by drinking cider and sleeping it off on a park bench. DENS staff worked closely with Ray encouraging him to eat when he was at the shelter, and trying to keep him from sinking into depression.

Ray eventually got his place on the programme and initially kept in contact with DENS. He did very well for a while but sadly gave up after a number of months. The last DENS heard of Ray, he was living on the streets in another area.

Many alcoholics eventually die of the condition, from either directly or indirectly related problems caused from the consumption of alcohol. Of those who recover to live a life free of alcohol, on average most will have succeeded on their second or third attempt. However some people manage it first time round, while others spend their lives in and out of programmes.

John's Story

John was a happily married man with two children when he moved to Dacorum.

Unfortunately John's relationship with his wife broke down, they divorced and he was forced to leave the family home. John was working on a contract basis with Railtrack at the time and sadly when his contract wasn't renewed, he became unemployed and was forced to live on his savings in Bed & Breakfast accommodation. When his savings ran out he had no one to turn to, and so he became homeless.

With support from DENS, within three weeks John managed to secure a job as a live-in pub manager in the Midlands.

Emma's Story

Emma was 18 when she was found sleeping rough in Ashridge woods.

Emma told the DENS volunteer who found her that she'd been in the woods for two days because she didn't know where else to go. Her mother was mentally ill and couldn't cope, so had thrown Emma out onto the streets. The volunteer referred her to DENS and within a few weeks she was given a place at The Swan Foyer Project in Berkhamsted which specifically helps and supports young people in leading independent lives.