Derek has had a fascinating life. He originally comes from Kilmarnock and grew up in Bellfield. Derek went to both Bellfield Primary School and Kirkstyle Primary School before attending James Hamilton Academy. He left school at 14 years of age and worked in a range of different jobs before settling into his role at a soft drinks firm, something he had a passion for so stayed for 10 years.

Derek has also attended college and undertaken various courses and managed to attain a City and Guilds qualification in English. Derek loves English and History. He loves to read – especially Scottish History and his favourite subject is the Jacobite Rebellion. He has visited Culloden as well as Fort George at the Caledonian Canal. He also loves to travel and has used his bus pass to travel all over Scotland visiting places such as Dundee, Aberdeen, Stirling, Edinburgh And Glasgow – he has even been on the Gold bus to Inverness. As well as being an avid reader, Derek also loves jigsaws.

Derek is an only child and with both parents now gone he feels like he is on his own. He is currently getting support from Lorna (Homeless nurse) and from the staff at the hostel where he has been staying recently. They make sure that he is ok, help to remind him to keep his room clean and tidy and ensure that he is just generally ok.

Before the hostel Derek had previously stayed on his own in a flat but he became very ill and his health had deteriorated so badly that he was no longer able to maintain his home. Due to his health condition he finds it hard to climb stairs as this really affects his breathing so he is hoping that his next home will be on the ground floor. Derek was originally devastated when he lost his home and knew that he had to go to the hostel. He was in a very low place and had low self esteem but now he is finding it ok – as he doesn’t have to worry about losing his keys or anything.

He attends the drop in sessions on a Monday and Friday at the Church Hall as well as Community Friends on a Wednesday. He also goes to the Salvation Army on a Thursday and Broken Chains on a Sunday. He likes coming to Community Friends to get his hair cut, get something to eat and to make friendships. Derek says that when he gets his new house there will be changes this time as more people will be coming in to support him – to help manage his money, bills and food.

Derek’s goals for the future include:

• Getting his own home and settling down –somewhere that is a good area and with good neighbours.
• Having peace and quiet to continue to let him read, do his jigsaws and listen to his music.
• Being better off with his money.