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This month one of our Service Users has kindly offered to share their story. It's not often that this happens - the persistent stigma and prejudice experienced by our community often forms too big a barrier. We are so grateful to Manoel for his courage and generosity. Here is his story.
"I was first referred to The Food Chain back in 2020, it was during the first lockdown. Unfortunately at the time I was homeless and I found myself with COVID. As I was sleeping rough, I couldn't avoid getting it. I became very ill and with more tests, HIV was discovered.
I was really skinny and in need of nutritious food, so my HIV clinic referred me to The Food Chain. Clare and Luke contacted me and in a very nice team work I started having advice from Luke as a nutritionist. He helped me a lot with advice as I was having constipation because of the new ART I started taking.
But it wasn't only that, he also provided me with deliveries of groceries. I also got weekly phone calls from Clare to check in on me, and after a few months as lockdown started easing she invited me for Eating Together (with social distance!). We had to be at different tables but it was a pleasure to meet the whole team from kitchen to reception. Was the first time I met Anna as well.
The Food Chain is much more than just food. They supported me in so many different social difficulties, and one of them was housing - I was referred for a service to support me around my homelessness.
I feel really good to come to the Eating Together service and be able to have a safe space to be with others just like me.
One of my favourite memories... it's so difficult to say one because I have so many! But I'm going to say marching with The Food Chain at London Pride last month. It was my most happy time at Pride, because it was a celebration of my new status in the UK and feeling that at last, I have the freedom to be who I am and be around the people that I love and the people who have supported me to get here.
Thanks for everything."
At the end of last year, Manoel was granted refugee status after a 4 year wait. He is now even more active in his volunteering - he has participated in focus groups, given presentations and been invited to speak at conferences - all in the name of supporting others who have been through the same experiences. But his battle is not yet over. Though no longer street homeless, he is still waiting for secure permanent housing, his benefits have not been consistent and the years of instability and uncertainty he experienced have left their mark. Manoel still needs to access support from charities like The Food Chain - and he shouldn't have to. But for as long as this is the case, we will be there for him.
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