Rostan

Rostan

I went straight from the airport to join the British Army when I first came to the UK from my home in St Vincent.

I spent 12 years as a soldier, and served in Iraq. 

That was where I was travelling one night, in the back of an Army Land Rover, trying to get some sleep. 

Something told me to put my helmet on. For a split second I argued with myself, but then I put it on ­– and the vehicle overturned.

That helmet saved my life, and I believe that prompt was from God.

After Iraq I developed post-traumatic stress disorder. I was in Germany when I left the Army and it was an alien world to me. I didn’t know how to adjust to civilian life, I had no support and I really struggled. Then I made some mistakes and got into trouble. 

I ended up moving to Oxford, homeless. I went to lots of different organisations to look for help. They promised to support me but as soon as they heard I’d got into trouble they turned their backs on me, just like the Army did.

Then I met Rob from ACT. I told him my story and he said they could help me. To my great surprise, they did what they said they’d do. 

They gave me somewhere to live. They helped me get therapy and medication for my PTSD. They brought me into a community of other guys in a similar situation, and I realised I wasn’t alone.

They found me a mentor who helps give me direction. I needed that after being on the streets. To know I could talk to him, that he’d be there for me every week – that was a big development.

What does an ACT house mean to me? It’s everything. 

My current status is that I don’t have recourse to public funds (NRPF) and I’m going through a really long, difficult application process. If I didn’t have accommodation I’d be out on the street. 

My house is somewhere I can have a foundation and start afresh, somewhere that gives me an opportunity to choose which direction to go in. I studied when I was in the Army and I have two degrees – one in engineering and one in child psychology. I want to work in overhead engineering when I’m back on my feet.

For now, the least I can do is get on board and participate so I’ve been volunteering with ACT’s meals for people who are homeless. I’m part of the welcome team at church and I also volunteer with a food bank. 

I want to do everything I can to support ACT. Without them, I don’t know where I would have ended up. 

They made me feel like I was somebody again.