Gambling addiction led to homelessness

I'm an ex-teacher, I used to teach maths. I'm also a compulsive gambler.

I first ran into problems when I was living in Lincoln, I wound up homeless at the age 44. After a while I came to Nottingham to attend Gamblers Anonymous to address my problem, and I got a place at Framework's Somerville House service.

Somerville House provides temporary accommodation and support to single homeless men. Whilst living there Paul worked with his key worker to address his problems and regain skills he needed to live independently.

Soon Paul had moved into his own place. There was no on-site support, but Paul still received regular visits from his Key Worker.

Whilst living there I began doing courses at the Academy, including Flatpack where you learn DIY and decorating skills whilst doing up a real flat, at the end of it I was given the flat! Which is where I'm still living now.

I'm trying to get back into education and would like to get some work experience by volunteering as a tutor for the Academy.

I'm currently part of a new service being set up called Service User Services. It consists of a group of Framework service users who provide a variety of services for Framework and other organisations, such as facilitating interviews and auditing. It's a very interesting experience: when interviewing potential candidates they say our questions are more probing than those of the staff panel. Our scores and comments are then considered along side the others to enable a rounded and informed choice to be made about who becomes Framework personnel.

Paul