How It Started
I started running away from home in Staffordshire at around age nine and going missing for weeks on end. I was sleeping in parks and in toilet cubicles. I went into foster care, where for a while I was settled and content, but then I was moved from a placement I’d been really happy at.
Running away to London
By age 12 I had run away to London, where I was hanging around with drug addicts and prostitutes around Whitechapel and Brick Lane, and a girl I knew better than anyone. She was 13, from Poplar, but had left her foster home in Kent.
I would keep getting taken back to the Midlands after getting caught by police. I moved foster homes a lot. One time, after I was brought back, I found out my friend had been taken into a secure unit. After that, I was sort of on my own. I ended up befriending someone who kidnapped me and threatened me with a machete, but I managed to flee.
From there, I lived on the streets of London, specifically Victoria, where I lived at the steps of the Apollo Theatre at the age of 13. At one point, I was befriended again and given whiskey, which I now think was spiked. This led to a sexual abuse attempt, but I managed to escape from this. After that, I lived rough on Piccadilly, all the while getting caught, getting taken back and running off again.
As far as I remember, I spent about two-thirds of my time between the ages of 11 and 16, missing.
How I Turned My Life Around
It was down to the will of homeless services, brilliant key workers and a few bright friends along the way.
My life still isn’t so perfect, and to this day, I still go through many of the same experiences and emotions that I did back then. But really, there’s one word I need to mention, and that’s music. I wouldn’t be who I am today without my songwriting, expression and being able to jam one out.
Music, love, exercise and keeping my brain stimulated were my key ingredients.
I have written a poetry book about it, containing sixty poems. You can view 14 of them online here.
Are you thinking of running away?
We are here for you.
