Chris, a UK citizen, lived for more than 20 years in Spain, working in a bar with a friend. This work came to an end last August and, without the right paperwork to remain in the EU, he returned to the UK in December. All he had was a backpack, a driving licence and some cash, and he had to sleep on the streets while looking for work.

Sleeping rough before Christmas, Chris had all his belongings stolen, leaving him with no documents, no money and no status. He had to resort to begging for food. In early January, he got severe frostbite while sleeping outside in extreme weather conditions and has since had an operation to remove the end of a finger.

Chris also has other health issues, including diabetes and high blood pressure. In late February, he found a place in the Kingston night shelter but was back on the streets at the end of March. He was told about FiA's Merton Homeless Drop-in and started coming to us twice a week for food, shelter and clothing.

After refusing help initially, Chris soon realised that he needed some wider support. Staff at the Drop-in helped him to open a bank account, using FiA as his care of address, apply for a 60+ Oyster card, obtain a copy of his birth certificate and access his National Insurance number.

With his ID documents in place, Chris was then able to apply for Universal Credit. With this paperwork, he was able to seek help through Merton Council and, since the end of April, he has been housed in a single room in Mitcham and is awaiting self-contained accommodation.

Chris is immensely grateful to FiA for turning his life around – he has come to see the Drop-In staff and volunteers as his family. Now that his life feels safe and stable again, he is keen to give something back and has become a regular volunteer for the Dons Local Action Group (a local charity fighting food poverty and a regular donor of food to the Drop-in), helping others in need.