Eddie’s story

Eddie was independent from a young age. After his mother died, he moved out of his crowded family home in Guinea-Bissau and found a job as a carpenter. By 15 years old, he was renting his own place to live.

Eddie’s father was Portuguese, so he had EU citizenship. He moved over to the UK to be with one of his brothers over a decade ago.

Eddie worked as a chef in luxurious London hotels, but he developed a skin condition and was forced to leave his job. “I want to work, I’ve always worked in this country, I never stopped. It’s just this time because of my situation. My doctor said I can’t work more than five hours because it’s true, anytime I stress, even if I’m working, it gets worse.”

When he lost his job, he spent all of his savings on rent. Eventually, he had to leave his flat. He stayed with a friend for a while. “I was sleeping on a wooden floor - no carpet.” His friend had a large family and it was crowded. He asked Eddie to leave after a few weeks.

“I was sleeping on the street for nine days.” Fortunately, Eddie was referred to one of the Crisis at Christmas hotels. In the hotel, Eddie was able to access the support he needed.

He had lost his phone on the bus, and Crisis provided a new one. “I can talk to people. I’m using Google to check things, like for work. And I can watch boxing videos!”

His skin condition is much better now too. He hadn’t been able to get to a doctor for a while, but when he was at the hotel, he was sent to a doctor and was able to start taking his medication again. He hadn't taken any medication for months before he came to Crisis at Christmas.

Eddie was given a Crisis coach, who supported him to find somewhere to rent. “I got a house already! I got a house yesterday, I have a contract. I’m just waiting for furniture.” Crisis sourced a bed, wardrobe and things for the kitchen.

Eddie is now settled in his new home and looking forward to the future. Once he feels better, he hopes to find a new job.

“If it wasn’t for Crisis, I might have died. I tried so many times to get Universal Credit but they kept rejecting me. Crisis sorted it out.”

 Find out more about our Crisis at Christmas appeal and how you can help to change someone's life this year.