In a candid interview, Mayim shared her harrowing journey into homelessness, the events leading up to it, and her hopes for the future. A former student of forensics at Staffordshire University, Mayim’s life took a devastating turn when she was assaulted “He broke three vertebrae and that is why I’m homeless because I ran away,” she explained. Due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it took 18 months for the case to reach Crown Court and Mayim ran away, with nowhere to go for fear that the man would find her and assault her again.
Mayim, however, did testify, and despite the traumatic circumstances, she managed to find a small sense of humor during the trial. “I got a free holiday… had a steak dinner,” she recalled of her stay near the Chester Crown Court.
Before the assault and subsequent homelessness, Mayim led a more stable life, studying forensics after already obtaining a degree in psychology. She described her frustration at not being able to finish her forensics degree due to her injury and the challenges that followed, but she is determined to complete it. “It’s like when you read a book and somebody takes the last chapter,” she explained. Mayim’s focus remains on finishing her education, but she is unsure about what the future holds after that.
Mayim shared a little of the things she enjoyed doing before the assault, “I cook, I bake, I knit, I sew, I draw” she said. She also shared her connection to nature, having always maintained a vegetable patch, though that’s no longer possible. Still, she keeps two cacti, which she has named Bill and Ben.
Mayim’s faith plays a role in how she processes loss and grief. She spoke of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, as a time for introspection and drawing a line between past and present. She reflected on the loss of ten people in her life since May, and although it’s been difficult, Rosh Hashanah offers her a sense of closure. “You draw a line, and last year’s gone after three days of partying and praying.”
Grief is a recurring theme in Mayim’s life. She recounted the loss of her husband eight years ago, and more recently, the tragic deaths of her friends. Despite the pain, Mayim maintains a strong sense of loyalty and community, supporting her friend Gemma, who lost both her husband and son in that tragedy. “That’s what friends are for,” she said.
Now, Mayim has been homeless for nearly four and a half years, living at Julian House sheltered accommodation in Shepton Mallet for the past three weeks. She expresses appreciation for the staff at her current shelter but says she still feels detached from indoor life, explaining that she’s more accustomed to living outside. “I spend most of my time outside… because I’m so used to it,” she admitted.
When asked about her children, Mayim revealed that they don’t know she’s homeless. She has four children and three grandchildren, the UK. She explained that it’s easier for her to visit them than for all of them to travel to her. Despite everything, she doesn’t want her children to worry about her. “My job is to look after them, not let them look after me.”
Mayim’s resilience shines through her humor and strength, even as she acknowledges the deep impact of homelessness. “I’m living, I’m breathing, but this is not life,” she said. Her advice for others facing similar situations is to “try and stay strong” and seek safety in numbers, emphasising the importance of community in surviving the harsh realities of homelessness.
Through her story, Mayim shows not only the pain of losing a once-promising life but also the power of endurance and the will to move forward and reclaim her life, even in the most difficult of circumstances. Now she has a place at Julian House, the team are supporting her start to rebuild her life in the hopes that she can continue her story.
