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Alfie, 38, is currently staying at Porchlight’s supported accommodation project in Ramsgate. With the help of one-to-one support and his own determination he is slowly regaining the confidence he lost after a severe illness left him unemployed and isolated.
Thanks to Porchlight, Alfie is now looking forward to a positive future.
Alfie has worked all his life in the hospitality industry. Up until 2005 he was Assistant Head Steward at a golf club. It was whilst working there that Alfie began to feel unwell. Initially he put it down to ‘man flu’ but when his symptoms intensified and he began losing weight without effort he became very concerned.
After initial tests doctors diagnosed Alfie with pneumonia but he didn’t respond to treatment leaving doctors baffled. After a few weeks and yet more tests he was eventually diagnosed with TB (Tuberculosis).
Alfie was put on a course of TB medication for 18 months in which time his deteriorating health meant that he couldn’t work and he became housebound: “It got to the stage where the only time I would venture out of the house was to have my medication at the hospital – for one hour, three days a week”
“I felt stigmatized and isolated.”
At one point Alfie weighed just 8 stone. But it wasn’t just the physical side of TB that affected him: “I felt stigmatized and isolated. Some people did not want to come near me because they were worried that they would catch something. I lost all my confidence. The mental effects of TB still affect me today.”
Despite receiving statutory sick pay for a year things became financially tight for Alfie. He was cleared of TB in 2007 but the psychological effects of the illness had taken a toll on relationships and eventually Alfie found himself on the streets for several weeks before being referred to Porchlight.
Since coming to Porchlight Alfie is working hard to move forward: “This place is a stepping stone for getting my confidence back. It’s given me the focus to realise that there is a better future out there for me. If it wasn’t for that support I don’t know what would have happened.”
“The gym helps me to strengthen my lungs and the muscles around my heart…”
Alfie’s illness has caused damage to his lungs, which means he is susceptible to things such as chest infections. Porchlight has managed to provide Alfie with gym membership to help him improve his health: “The gym helps me to strengthen my lungs and the muscles around my heart, I wouldn’t be able to afford it on my own.”
Alfie is using the computer provided at the hostel to study for his NVQ in IT.
Alfie has also taken advantage of the computer access at the project by enrolling on a basic IT course with Thanet College: “I realised that if I want to get back into work after such a long break then I will need to improve my IT skills. Most jobs require some sort of computer knowledge these days. Having access to a computer at the hostel has made it possible.”
After finishing the course Alfie intends to take the intermediate then advanced courses resulting in an NVQ.
Discovering the Internet has also opened doors for Alfie, from being able to use social networks to keeping up to date on current affairs. He has even offered to help promote Tuberculosis charity TB Alert.
Alfie is now very positive about the future: “I want to get my own place eventually, go back to work and for my health to continue improving. I hope to work with the public again, I really enjoy that.”
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