0:00:02 > 0:00:07There we are. There he is. And this is our home.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Swansea has become a magnet for homeless people.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13And now their numbers are on the increase.
0:00:13 > 0:00:18For many, the only option is to sleep rough in any place they can.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25I'm Chris Rushton and together with Tracy Harris, over a year ago,
0:00:25 > 0:00:29we followed the desperate plight of Swansea's homeless.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35Now, we have returned to find out if things had changed...
0:00:35 > 0:00:38It's just dangerous to be walking the streets.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40..to discover how the homeless survive...
0:00:40 > 0:00:43When's the last time you seen it like this?
0:00:43 > 0:00:45..and how today's recession
0:00:45 > 0:00:48and cutbacks are hitting those least able to cope.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52I want to sort myself out, but no-one's doing nothing for me!
0:00:52 > 0:00:54No-one's doing nothing!
0:01:04 > 0:01:08I've been back on Swansea's streets now for 12 weeks.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11And it's a very different world from when I was here over a year ago.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15It's one of the coldest ever winters.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19Most homeless people had found temporary shelter indoors
0:01:19 > 0:01:22and only the most hardened rough sleepers remain outside.
0:01:24 > 0:01:2915 months ago, I met Andy. He was one of Swansea's long-term homeless.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33If you're strong-minded, then you can do it.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35If you're not strong-minded,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38the only thing you're going to be able to do is end up in a box.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42This February, we caught up with him
0:01:42 > 0:01:46again at one of the charities that help the homeless.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48Nothing much seemed to have changed.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50I woke up this morning and I was drenched.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53He seen me this morning when he seen me. I was soaking.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57I was absolutely freezing.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59This is Zac's Place,
0:01:59 > 0:02:05set up over 20 years ago by a group of bikers known as God's Squad.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07Open two nights a week,
0:02:07 > 0:02:11Zac's attracts up to 20 homeless people each night.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Andy and his mate Darren have been given some extra kit.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16Sleeping bag.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19Be nice and warm tonight, then.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22They are planning to sleep rough right under
0:02:22 > 0:02:24the nose of the city's authorities.
0:02:24 > 0:02:29Down by the beach tonight, by the council, opposite by there.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32- Nice and quiet down there, see. - It will keep you warm.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35It's nice and fleecy. OK?
0:02:35 > 0:02:37Socks?
0:02:37 > 0:02:39They'll be needing anything extra they can get.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41It is cold, like. It is cold.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43At least now we've got extra blankets.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45With my sleeping bag and his sleeping bag
0:02:45 > 0:02:49and the two extra thick quilts, we should be all right tonight.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51Warmer than we were last night.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58Andy grew up never knowing either of his parents.
0:02:58 > 0:03:03My mother had me at 18 and basically,
0:03:03 > 0:03:07she couldn't cope with me cos she was an alcoholic.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11So...she put me in care.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14I went in at four weeks old.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17His 17 years in care shocked me.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21And went a little way to explain what has happened to him since.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24It was no walk in the park, like.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27I got abused by a woman when I was a baby.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31And then I got abused by a bloke, then, when I was eight.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33And physical abuse as well.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36At the end of the day, I mean,
0:03:36 > 0:03:39I didn't want to end up like the way I am at the moment.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42It's not by choice, it's just happened.
0:03:42 > 0:03:43It's just one of them things.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50Beside the beach is Swansea's civic centre.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53For rough sleepers, it's a popular spot
0:03:53 > 0:03:55because there's a vent blowing out warm air.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59And it's away from the violence of the streets.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03This is one of the safest places you could sleep in Swansea.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05You don't get no disturbances, you don't
0:04:05 > 0:04:10get people coming along and laying the boot in and all that stuff.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12You certainly don't get people coming along
0:04:12 > 0:04:15and urinating all over you.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19Which is what happened to Andy the night before.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22You have the security guards then,
0:04:22 > 0:04:27banging the windows in the morning, about seven, half-past.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31Waking you up. "Can you leave, please?"
0:04:31 > 0:04:35As long as you make sure you clean your mess up, and off we go.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42I later make an extraordinary discovery about Andy.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46He met his father for the first time in his teens.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50And now, 30 years later, they are both homeless,
0:04:50 > 0:04:52living on Swansea's streets.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56HE SINGS
0:04:56 > 0:04:58Known as Cookie, at 72,
0:04:58 > 0:05:02Andy's dad is the oldest person I'd met living on the streets.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05Be happy and be friendly.
0:05:05 > 0:05:06And love everybody.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08Why not?
0:05:08 > 0:05:12Happiness in the heart and the soul.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14If you die, die happy.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17Father and son continue to live separate lives, but they
0:05:17 > 0:05:19do have one thing in common.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21They both served in the army.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27Like others, they never imagined they'd end up with nowhere to go.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31- On the streets now.- You are?
0:05:31 > 0:05:33No, serious.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Martin worked in Swansea's pubs and restaurants.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39He's been unemployed for a while.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41Now, he's fallen out with his girlfriend
0:05:41 > 0:05:43and has nowhere else to go.
0:05:45 > 0:05:50Relationships break up and stuff and then you just end up...where
0:05:50 > 0:05:54you had everything and you just...lose it all.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Everything's just gone.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02For the last six weeks, he's been sleeping wherever he can.
0:06:06 > 0:06:11Sometimes, he's slept here, under the remains of a derelict building.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13I thought I'd try it.
0:06:13 > 0:06:14This, it goes down.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19I found this. It used to keep me dry.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23Now and again. But if it rained, it used to soak inside.
0:06:23 > 0:06:28Some of my clothes are still here. Well, I used to just climb down.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31It would never...have a full night's kip
0:06:31 > 0:06:36because you were getting cramp because it's so cramped in here.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40I used to get some candles, just cos it gets so dark.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43There's one still...left there.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49I was always scared as well in case these boulders ever
0:06:49 > 0:06:52came down as well. Could be killed.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56I don't know...
0:06:58 > 0:07:01..what's happened... what's happened to my life.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09But tonight, he has a safer place to stay.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15In winter, the churches in Swansea provide emergency shelter
0:07:15 > 0:07:17and Martin is one of the lucky ones.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19- Hiya.- Hello.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21All right?
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- Yeah. Martin Thomas. - Martin. Nice to meet you.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27He's with another of Swansea's homeless.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29- Nice to meet you, Paul. - Nice to meet you.- Come in.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- Come and have a nice warm cuppa. - Oh, I'd love one!
0:07:33 > 0:07:37Each night, a different church opens its doors.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Over the winter, they'll provide almost 200 nights'
0:07:41 > 0:07:44accommodation for Swansea's homeless.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47Anybody else for tea with their dinner?
0:07:47 > 0:07:50Jesus, thank you that we can spend time together in the warm
0:07:50 > 0:07:52and safe tonight, Lord.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55And I just pray that you just bless Martin and Paul,
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- as they spend time with us. Amen.- Amen.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02The church shelters have been running for the last two winters
0:08:02 > 0:08:05and have attracted over 100 volunteers.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11- I think anybody would like it, wouldn't they?- Yeah.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15We've got so many volunteers for this, haven't we?
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- We're literally fighting to be volunteers.- Yeah.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22It was good to see the homeless getting extra help,
0:08:22 > 0:08:25but I realised everyone got something out of it.
0:08:25 > 0:08:30They needed the homeless almost as much as the homeless needed them.
0:08:30 > 0:08:31OK, good night, guys.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34- Good night.- Sleep well. See you in the morning.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37- Good night.- OK, good night. OK?
0:08:37 > 0:08:40- Yeah, thanks.- Good night. God bless.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46The vast majority of homeless escape the winter by sleeping
0:08:46 > 0:08:50on friends' sofas, floors and spare rooms.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54For the last three years, Paul has been relying on friends,
0:08:54 > 0:08:56moving from one to another.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59I got a flat of my own at one time.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02I lost that flat. Um...
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Ended up moving in with a friend of mine then.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07A number of friends since then have taken care of me,
0:09:07 > 0:09:09who I've stayed with.
0:09:09 > 0:09:14More recently, I've found myself... I don't know...
0:09:14 > 0:09:16..walking on eggshells a bit in certain places
0:09:16 > 0:09:21and realising that I've got to do something about it, like.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25And this is why I find myself in the position I'm in at the moment.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31But luckily, I've seen the right people now
0:09:31 > 0:09:34and things are being done, like, to get me sorted out.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38Paul's divorced and has no family to call on.
0:09:38 > 0:09:43Once, he worked as a club bouncer. Now, he's registered homeless.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45KNOCKS ON DOOR
0:09:45 > 0:09:50He's turned to the Swansea Access Point charity for help.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54Martin is also looking for somewhere to live
0:09:54 > 0:09:57and the two have become friends.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01Ian, the support worker, is helping them find a place.
0:10:01 > 0:10:06- We've got to know each other. - Yeah, share a house together? Maybe?
0:10:06 > 0:10:10If he's got two places available, it shouldn't be a problem, no?
0:10:10 > 0:10:13And like, we get on well now, so it's... OK, no problem.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15But it mightn't be quick cos he's told me
0:10:15 > 0:10:17there's nothing available till next week.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19I'll ring tomorrow. Something might come up.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23If that's what you want to do, no problem. No problem, mate.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25It could be a long wait.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29At least for tonight, they're staying at the church shelter.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36But Andy and his dad Cookie have nowhere else to go but the streets.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39And for once, they are together. Well, almost.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46Even though he's the way he is, a bit mad, he's a handful.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51He is a handful.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55# Love me like I love you... #
0:11:00 > 0:11:03Like his dad, Andy's an alcoholic. It enables him
0:11:03 > 0:11:08to blank out the harsh realities of surviving on the street.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10But it's a risky business.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13You're aware this is an alcohol exclusion area.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Tonight, the police believe they are likely
0:11:16 > 0:11:19to commit an alcohol-related crime.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Same old crap, different day.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25I'm directing you to leave the area for 12 hours, yeah?
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- You need to leave straightaway. - How many hours?- 12 hours.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30- I've got to go?- Move on.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33They all disperse in different directions.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37It's beyond a joke. All they can do is just pick on people.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Do you know what I mean?
0:11:41 > 0:11:43I can't handle this life no more.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50Living on the street can be traumatic and highly stressful.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53I wasn't surprised to discover that almost half the homeless
0:11:53 > 0:11:55suffer from mental health problems.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02It's 7:30am at another of the church shelters where Paul
0:12:02 > 0:12:04and Martin spent the night.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07When someone snores his head off, it's so loud.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09And they wake you up then twenty to seven.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12Looking forward to having a place where you can have a lie in,
0:12:12 > 0:12:14first thing in the morning.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17OK. See you, guys.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20- Good time.- Thanks for the welcome.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27They'll be dropped off in the city centre
0:12:27 > 0:12:30and for the next 11 hours, they have nowhere to go.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35I'd noticed that the constant walking around in the cold
0:12:35 > 0:12:37was taking its toll.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40Just...lots of pain, lots of pain.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44- Struggling a bit. - Yeah, struggling a bit, yeah.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48Back pain and...leg and... Old age, I think,
0:12:48 > 0:12:53catching up with me. And my injuries over the years. God!
0:12:56 > 0:13:00More than ever, Paul needs the flat they've been promised,
0:13:00 > 0:13:03so they check in with the Access Point charity.
0:13:03 > 0:13:04Booked in to see Alan tomorrow.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08- You'll meet at the property at 12 o'clock. All right?- Oh, is it?
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Yeah, go and have a view and then he'll do all the housing
0:13:11 > 0:13:14benefit forms and things, if it's what you want. All right?
0:13:14 > 0:13:18What you need to do is view it and then accept it, if that's what
0:13:18 > 0:13:21you want, and then you can arrange with him about the keys.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25All right? We've got some duvets we've had given and stuff like that,
0:13:25 > 0:13:27so at least you'll be warm on your first night.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29And then we'll put in for community care.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33OK? And that...because you've both been homeless, especially you,
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Paul, for a while, I don't think that's going to be a problem.
0:13:36 > 0:13:3812 o'clock tomorrow.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41- Thank you very much. Thanks a lot. - You're welcome.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43I appreciate it so much.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57But the next day, the viewing is cancelled.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01The flat is being renovated and isn't finished.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05A week later, another viewing is cancelled.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07This time, someone lost the key.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10He must have a spare key!
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Can't just have the one key!
0:14:16 > 0:14:18I don't believe this!
0:14:20 > 0:14:22- Paul, all right, mate?- Yeah.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29I realised Paul was far more desperate to get settled
0:14:29 > 0:14:31than I'd previously thought.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38Some of the other homeless I've met lead such chaotic lives,
0:14:38 > 0:14:41they can't get organised enough to seek help.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48Fed up with being called a tramp, down and out, bum.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51And still out in the cold is 32-year-old Scott.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54He's meeting Andy's dad, Cookie,
0:14:54 > 0:14:58who has already bagged the best spot by the warm air vent.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03Sleeping in the snow! Sleeping in the rain.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06Sleeping with deranged bloody Cookie.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08# I am the kind of man
0:15:08 > 0:15:13- # Who is always on the ro-o-ad! # - Oh, my God.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Get ready for a lot of rambling and a lot of rubbish.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19Hey, Cook!
0:15:19 > 0:15:21Give me my blanket.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26Oh, come on, man. Someone help me out. Please.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28It's the only blanket I could get.
0:15:28 > 0:15:29Pink(!)
0:15:29 > 0:15:32They're going to think I'm queer!
0:15:32 > 0:15:34It's not my fault.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37My blanket's a bit, erm...
0:15:37 > 0:15:41Sorry! It's a bit, erm.... you know what I mean.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43It's not my fault.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45Oh, it's not funny.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48Ah, God. I can't sleep in this.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58Scott, like Cookie, has been rejected by his family.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03He's been on a downward spiral, homeless for nearly seven years
0:16:03 > 0:16:04and has nowhere left to go.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08I don't want to live next to Cookie.
0:16:09 > 0:16:10But what else have I got?
0:16:13 > 0:16:17So, the only other choice I got is get arrested and go to jail.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28I wouldn't mind a lovely house, missus, job.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30I'd be happy.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33I'd give this up straight away. And get my son back.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35I'd give this up straight away for a home.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41Scott's desperate situation reminded me of another homeless guy
0:16:41 > 0:16:43we'd filmed 15 months ago.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48Stevie's family had also given up on him
0:16:48 > 0:16:51because of his addiction to drugs and alcohol.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55I miss my relatives. My father's dead.
0:16:55 > 0:17:01And my mother doesn't talk to me, so Christmas is, erm...
0:17:03 > 0:17:07..just a drunken blur, basically.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09Uh, basically.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13I'll never forget being with him
0:17:13 > 0:17:17when he faced the prospect of Christmas sleeping on the streets.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22I really think about doing some crime just go back to jail, like.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25I mean, because at least I got a bed then.
0:17:26 > 0:17:31- 15 months ago his life had hit rock bottom.- Stevie.- Hi, Stevie!
0:17:31 > 0:17:34And this is him now.
0:17:34 > 0:17:39For all that time, he's been away on rehab and now he's clean.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41Hey, look at you!
0:17:41 > 0:17:46# Love can begin with open arms... #
0:17:46 > 0:17:50He's been in Nottingham on a residential rehab programme.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54Surprisingly, it was established by an American evangelical church.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59Now he's returned to tell his story.
0:18:00 > 0:18:01It'll be all right.
0:18:01 > 0:18:06I am a bit nervous, as always, but it should be all right.
0:18:06 > 0:18:07Hello.
0:18:07 > 0:18:08THEY CHEER
0:18:08 > 0:18:12My name is Stephen and I'm from Morriston, I am.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16And if you knew me, going back last year, I am changed.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18I got teeth, for a start!
0:18:18 > 0:18:22THEY CHEER EXCITEDLY
0:18:22 > 0:18:26My life has been, phew, pretty erratic up to now,
0:18:26 > 0:18:31I can tell you that. All of a sudden I fell into drugs
0:18:31 > 0:18:35and then I started to use heroin.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39Jail, back out, jail, back out, and that was my lot.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41I didn't know I could change.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45I didn't even want to change at that moment in time.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48So, it was when I came out of jail
0:18:48 > 0:18:53and after ripping my boiler out of my flat to get money for things
0:18:53 > 0:18:56and they wouldn't give me another flat so I ended up homeless.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00And that's when I decided to give my life to Jesus.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03And he is the only the only true friend I've got, like.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06- AUDIENCE:- That's right! - And that is the truth.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09Amen. Amen.
0:19:09 > 0:19:10Stevie is lucky.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14Out of all those who attempt rehab for alcohol or drugs,
0:19:14 > 0:19:16less than 20% succeed.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19I nearly left the programme every single day.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21First, they say you can't smoke,
0:19:21 > 0:19:23you've got to go to chapel twice a day,
0:19:23 > 0:19:27you've got to sit in a room for three hours a day and study the Bible.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32It is still the hardest thing. Yeah?
0:19:32 > 0:19:36I discovered that the churches were the only people offering
0:19:36 > 0:19:39a fast-track for the homeless to get off the street
0:19:39 > 0:19:41as well as deal with their addictions.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50It was two weeks since I last saw Andy.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53He'd been in court and fined for breaching an order banning him
0:19:53 > 0:19:55from the city centre.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58Now I've got to get myself back on my feet, like.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00Somehow.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03And this is why I'm going to Access Point again on Monday, two o'clock.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06And they're going to let me know then when I'm going to rehab.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09So, they're going to sort it out for me tonight, like.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12And take it from there.
0:20:12 > 0:20:13Which hopefully they will.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18Many talk about quitting the booze,
0:20:18 > 0:20:21but few can really face what it takes.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26But then, Andy gets the offer he's been waiting for.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30- Hello.- Hiya, Andy? Come on in.- How are you?
0:20:30 > 0:20:34He's been accepted onto a 12-month rehab programme.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37- The first week will be hard, serious now, it will be hard.- I know.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39I know that, man.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42I mean, on the pop again, hitting it a bit harder.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45- But I have cut down.- Oh, yeah. - I have cut down.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47Yeah, because you used to come in here,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- we didn't know what you were talking about.- I know, I know.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52Good effort, mate. Good effort.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55- If I don't do this...- You're going to be dead.- I'll be dead.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58- Basically, yeah? That's the truth. - And I'll die on the street.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01- Course you will. And like I said, I think you'll do well.- Yes.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- I will do well.- I'm not just saying that, I think you'll do well.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05- I will do it and all. - I know you will.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07For the next year,
0:21:07 > 0:21:09he'll have the support of a church-run rehab centre.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12Good luck, you can do that. We'll be in contact.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16- Take care.- I'll write. I will, all right? Take care. Thank you.- Bye.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20They saved my life. They have.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30Martin and Paul finally get the chance to view the flat.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33For two-and-a-half weeks, they have gone from one night shelter
0:21:33 > 0:21:37to another and have also become demoralised with having nowhere
0:21:37 > 0:21:39to go in the daytime.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41They meet the agent and if they like what they see,
0:21:41 > 0:21:43they can move in immediately.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Hang on, hang on. Accept this flat, quick now.
0:21:46 > 0:21:47I don't like the colours!
0:21:49 > 0:21:52Both your names need to be on the tenancy,
0:21:52 > 0:21:54so we need to put both of them on.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- And then you can keep one copy and I will keep the other.- OK.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00Paul's pride has been dented by having to ask for help,
0:22:00 > 0:22:04but now, all that's behind him.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07This is just ideal, this is.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11This has so much potential and it really is something else.
0:22:11 > 0:22:12It's a lovely flat.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27But four days later, after Paul and Martin moved in,
0:22:27 > 0:22:29I had a worrying message from Paul.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33I went to the flat and Martin had gone.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36Paul was in shock and in no fit state to talk.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42He had been here, all alone, for the last three days.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51There was a smashed door and Paul had a badly cut hand,
0:22:51 > 0:22:52so we took him to A&E.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59With Martin gone, I realise just how much Paul had depended on him.
0:23:01 > 0:23:02One minute...
0:23:04 > 0:23:06..everything seemed to be going all right.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11Sharing a flat.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Found a friend.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16Now isolated. Know what I mean?
0:23:16 > 0:23:18I don't know.
0:23:23 > 0:23:28Later I discovered more as to why Paul was in such a state of shock.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32Out of the blue, Martin was arrested, taken into custody
0:23:32 > 0:23:36and charged with an assault on his ex-girlfriend.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38He got a 23-week jail sentence.
0:23:41 > 0:23:46At the Access Point, Paul's support worker has organised some
0:23:46 > 0:23:49extra help from another housing charity, the Cyrenians.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Big flat, nice and empty.
0:23:54 > 0:23:59- Find it tough going up there by yourself?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03I was speaking to Cyrenians this morning,
0:24:03 > 0:24:07they're going to do a home visit with you at 9:45 on Monday. OK?
0:24:07 > 0:24:10The other thing is, they are going to send a letter out to confirm that
0:24:10 > 0:24:12- and it's a lady called Helen.- Right.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15So, it'll be Helen and another member of Cyrenians
0:24:15 > 0:24:18- to do an assessment for you. See what your housing needs are.- Right.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23For the next six weeks, Paul will get specialist support.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29It's just a matter of hours now before Andy finally
0:24:29 > 0:24:30leaves for rehab.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32Yes, I am scared.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36But at the end of the day, I've got to do it.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39This is his last opportunity to get off the streets.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41# I am off to rehab! #
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Take care, boys.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47- I'm going to rehab tonight, Rotherham.- Well done.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51- Excellent.- I am off.- Well done.- Six o'clock, man, all right?- Good boy!
0:24:51 > 0:24:55- All the best.- See my old man, look after him. Thank you, man.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00It's the City Temple who are taking him
0:25:00 > 0:25:03the 200 miles to a rehab unit in Rotherham.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06And it was their outreach worker who found him the place.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09- HOARSELY:- One thing...
0:25:09 > 0:25:11- I've lost my voice. - I know. It's great!
0:25:11 > 0:25:13Thanks(!) I love you(!)
0:25:16 > 0:25:20This is the first day of the rest of your life, mate. Do you know?
0:25:20 > 0:25:23The thing is, I'm a bit scared, I am.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27Because I don't know what to expect when I get there.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30'But at least at the unit he's going to, he is allowed to smoke.'
0:25:30 > 0:25:33What do you think it'll be like?
0:25:33 > 0:25:36Imagine, in a couple of weeks time, what might be your typical day?
0:25:39 > 0:25:42- Any ideas?- Getting up in the morning and feeling fresh.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45And...
0:25:45 > 0:25:47no alcohol, just having a fag.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52And just doing what I do best. Being me.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56The minibus is heading for a conference
0:25:56 > 0:25:59and they are going to drop Andy off along the way.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01All right? Good to see you.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03I really can't wait, man.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05Honestly. I cannot wait.
0:26:05 > 0:26:10'For the first time in years, he'll have a room of his own.'
0:26:10 > 0:26:14- Thank you very much.- Good luck, Andy.- Take care, man.
0:26:16 > 0:26:17Five weeks later,
0:26:17 > 0:26:22he was baptised and he's made a start at coming off the booze.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26- Hello.- Everything all right? - Yeah, not too bad.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29And Paul's tenancy support worker, Helen,
0:26:29 > 0:26:31is helping him find a place of his own.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33There was nobody moving upstairs.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36It was a relief finally to see him getting his life back on track.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39Have you popped down the rest of your appointments now
0:26:39 > 0:26:42- we have got coming up, Paul? - My head is full of numbers.
0:26:42 > 0:26:43Right, double-check now then,
0:26:43 > 0:26:47so we are both on the same page with our appointments.
0:26:47 > 0:26:52- Dentist...- 23rd or 24th. Erm...
0:26:53 > 0:26:56Dentist, 22nd.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00I got my appointment dates that I'm going to have to paint over quickly
0:27:00 > 0:27:04- if I ever leave.- What about the doctors? When is the GP appointment?
0:27:04 > 0:27:09- That's Monday. Three o'clock, Monday afternoon.- There we are!
0:27:09 > 0:27:10There we are!
0:27:10 > 0:27:13You just haven't done the one for today then, two o'clock.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16- Two o'clock. Thought it was four o'clock!- No.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20- You been like my wife, man! You've - engaged well, you know!- Like a wife!
0:27:20 > 0:27:24I'd realised that for anyone who had been long-term homeless,
0:27:24 > 0:27:28adapting to normal life again could be yet another struggle.
0:27:28 > 0:27:33Especially so, for those who have spent years living on the streets.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37We're not tramps. Just bums.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41- I am a tramp. And a bum.- Exactly!
0:27:43 > 0:27:45We had come to the end of our second three-month stint
0:27:45 > 0:27:48filming with Swansea's homeless.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53Compared to when we were here 15 months ago, there were
0:27:53 > 0:27:57now 75% more people seeking help from the housing charities.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01All you need to find is a property that will accept you and it's yours.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04- All right?- Nice one, yeah.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09And now, changes to housing benefits are putting even more people
0:28:09 > 0:28:11in jeopardy of becoming homeless.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19But it was the struggle of homeless people
0:28:19 > 0:28:23surviving in one of the harshest winters that affected us the most.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27This time, walking away from their desperate plight
0:28:27 > 0:28:29was even harder to bear.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd