Mark’s story is one of resilience, overcoming personal struggles, and finding hope through support and community.
Mark arrived at Julian House in Shepton Mallet, after enduring several tough years of homelessness. Before this, he had a fulfilling life, working for 20 years as a teacher. He taught English, philosophy, and sometimes mathematics, spending six years in a state school and then 14 years at a prestigious independent school, where he became vice head of the English department. His life was active and fulfilling, not just professionally but personally, as he was also an athlete, engaged in road cycling and swimming. He recalled, “I loved swimming the most, but cycling was the thing I was really good at.”
However, in 2019, things took a significant turn. Mark faced significant personal challenges, forcing him to leave his job, He said, “I finished in 2019 because of problems with addiction and psychiatric problems. I then lived off savings until they ran out.”
Mark’s father also developed Alzheimer’s during this time, which added to the strain. Although Mark cared for him, he was still homeless, living in caravans and working on farms to care for horses. He explained, “I had horses myself… but the upkeep was pretty expensive.”
Eventually, Mark spent nearly four years on the streets, enduring harsh winters and the dangers of being homeless.
“I lost a number of people to things like pneumonia, overdosing, or people dying of exhaustion, lack of nutrition, or a calorific deficit. Sometimes I just conk out or fall asleep in the street, and I wake up with a start with somebody, sort of kicking me and jumping me, to get me to come round, because I was covered in frost!”
As well as dealing with his own difficulties, Mark has also been a primary caregiver for his partner, “My partner’s been down a road of a lot more trauma than I have,” he explained, adding that this has meant “considerable duty with care, in terms of support and admin appointments.” Balancing care commitments with his own needs has been a challenge, but counselling services provided through the Julian House outreach team have been instrumental in helping him manage and stay on track.
Public transport presents another challenge for Mark, as he gave up his driving license in 2018 due to his health issues. “I don’t drive because I’m on medication and had to give up my driving license,” he explained. He often relies on hitchhiking or asking for lifts, and the team at Julian House has been helpful in assisting him with transportation when needed.
With the help of Julian House Mark has been rebuilding his life, he’s also been volunteering at Bath City Farm once a week, something that’s helped restore his confidence and sense of self. Talking about his volunteering he said ” I’d always planned to use that as a way into getting my confidence back as a worker. There’s a social side to working on a farm… you make a lot of good friends and contacts”. This opportunity has allowed him to reconnect with others, he added, Although he enjoys physical labour and is comfortable working on his own, Mark appreciates the community aspect of volunteering.
Looking ahead, Mark remains hopeful and focused on getting permanently housed and returning to work. “Work’s important to me. I still study,” he said. He’s also rekindling his love for education by revisiting his passion for mathematics, something he excelled in during his mechanical engineering studies. He is determined to refresh his skills and pursue further studies with the Open University. “I’m doing a refresher course for the further maths part of A-level… Julian house has been really good, got me the books,” he shared.
Mark’s story is a testament to his resilience and determination to rebuild his life after enduring years of hardship. With the support of outreach teams, healthcare professionals, and his own perseverance, he’s making steady progress toward reclaiming his future. His journey is an inspiring example of how support, persistence, and a focus on health can make all the difference in overcoming adversity.
