Douglas is 71 years old and for most of his adult life he has lived rough, moving between different areas of the city and spending time living in hospitals and hostels.
When the hostels closed Douglas was worried what would happen to him and he moved from the hostel environment to Maxwell Resettlement Service. There he was offered safety and security and the opportunity to learn living skills to enable him to live on his own.
Douglas found it difficult at times to allow staff to support him but the two years he spent in Maxwell Drive enabled him to have a period of stability and to develop skills and confidence at his own pace.
Douglas now lives in a sheltered housing complex in the north of the city and his flat is the first home he has had since he was a teenager. Douglas provided this account of his experience of moving on.
"When I was offered the opportunity to move to my own flat I felt really apprehensive. I was worried I would not be able to cope. Staff worked with me on a daily basis offering reassurance and advice. They offered help and support in getting people to decorate my flat and in choosing furniture. It was a very tiring time with lots of work to be done but I felt supported through it all.
Staff worked with me for a while after I moved and helped me to set up payments, get my electricity sorted out, phone installed and all the other things I had never had to do before. I used to think I didn't deserve the things other people had because I had never worked. Staff assured me that I was as entitled to good things in life as anyone else, and they encouraged me to be good to myself. I've lived in my flat now for three months and I have never been happier. I keep myself busy and I'm out and about every day. I enjoy spending time reading and listening to the radio. I continue to buy bits and pieces for my flat and I now see it as my home. I've got a new lease of life and I'm really happy. I've always been independent but now I feel in control of my life."