SIX people St Paul’s Hostel has helped are backing its campaign to challenge the misconceptions about homelessness.

The hostel has begun the social media campaign that Jonathan Sutton, the Chief Executive of the hostel, says he hopes will change Worcester people's opinion.

Six people helped by the hostel have been telling their stories:

Stephen Murray, 59, said: “I had been employed for over 30 years. A set of circumstances meant I lost the place where I was living and as a result I lost my job. I spent 6 days rough sleeping.

St Paul’s has helped me by giving me a focus, given me a home and a good outlook for the future. I now work full time with St Paul’s and hope to repay some of the kindness what has been shown to me.

I am living in one of St Paul’s resettlement houses but I want a one bedroomed flat of my own.”

Darren Miles, 39, said: “I had built up rent arrears from another property through a change in housing benefits. I slept rough for two days.

"St Paul’s has helped me through building myself up from nothing to working part-time as a chef and getting back in contact with my family. I am now clean of class A and prescription drugs.

"I want to get my own place again and a full time job.

"If you see someone homeless, don’t abuse them as you don’t know what they have been through."

Paul White, 22, said: “I was brought up in care and given shared accommodation. I was young and lost the property. I slept rough for a month. St Paul’s has helped me get off my arse. Before I would sit around smoking weed all day but now I work in the kitchen as a chef. This gives me a purpose to get up in the morning. My dream is to get a full time job, a house and build a family. Don’t stereotype people and don’t judge a book by its cover."

Joelle Fletcher, 32, said: “My step-mother was abusive and kicked me out on the street. I slept rough for one week.

St Paul’s has brought my confidence back, helped me with my depression using their counsellor. Whenever I need help they are there for me. I have made a new family between staff and residents. I now volunteer to help in the kitchen and love it.

“I want to get my own place and enjoy my life.”

Kerry Marnell, 37, said: "I lost my partner nine years ago. He died suddenly and I turned to drugs and alcohol to hide the pain. I then lost my flat due to not leaving (a new) partner. I became homeless and slept rough for 18 months. St Paul’s has helped me leave my partner. The counselling service continues to help me build my confidence and believe in myself. It has helped me to reconnect with my family, stop my addiction and I have gained mentoring and counselling qualifications. I volunteer in the kitchen at St Paul’s and also arrange all the jobs for other residents to do. I would like to work with young adults or vulnerable adults to offer my experiences in life. Homelessness can happen very quickly."

Sam Haynes, 31, said: “My dad lost the house we grew up in because he spent money on drink.

"I spent about 1 year rough sleeping. St Paul’s has helped me by giving me a chance to volunteer in their kitchen, take part in cleaning duties and clean other residents rooms. I earn points doing this and buy myself things. This gives me a focus. I have a health condition but I still want to find work that I can do.

"Homelessness is no laughing matter.”