M.B

"I became homeless a few weeks or so before the lockdown started & I was living in my car at the time. The effect that this had on me & my mental health was immense. My self-respect as well as my self-worth was absolutely zero. Luckily for me I was found by an outreach team who were able to help, which was a huge relief, but once they realised, I am an ex-service veteran they contacted “Outside the Wire”. 

The following day the country went into lockdown, so again life was changing very quickly. I was really struggling with it and understanding what was going on around me. Not long after, I was contacted by Justin who was just so understanding and reassuring. It was at times quite overwhelming. Very quickly it became the one phone call each week that I looked forward to, and still look forward to, because it always gives me hope which is so important. 

Unfortunately, due to the lockdown we weren’t able to meet as we would do normally, but our weekly phone calls always left me in a positive frame of mind and I now attend the Norwich Veteran's Drop-in-Cafe on a Tuesday evening whenever possible. My personal network has begun to grow, as a direct result. I cannot express how much I appreciate “Outside the Wire” and how much they understand veterans of all services. I really look forward to continuing to work with them, especially as my mental health & wellbeing have improved so much. I am not there yet, but with their help I know that I will get there."