A Borough Market worker who went from supplying London’s top restaurants, and being mates with Jamie Oliver, to becoming homeless and an alcoholic, is back on his feet.
John Leavey, 55, found his drinking spiral out of control. But his life turned around when he met Alex Bigucci from the British Red Cross South East London homelessness project.
The charity helped John find accommodation, access his benefits, and persuaded him to open a bank account, signalling a new positive chapter in his life.
John, who now lives in supported living in Denmark Hill, said: “I’m glad I ended up here. I’ve got a TV in my room, I can chat to people if I want, I’m not tempted by drugs. I feel a bit more in control.”
Raised in north London, but having spent most of his life around Borough Market, John had struggled with alcohol misuse and homelessness for several years.
He worked cash-in-hand at the market, packing and delivering fruit and veg for some of London’s swankiest eateries.
John even became friendly with Jamie Oliver and has appeared in one of the chef’s books and TV series.
But living without security was stressful and John’s life fell apart.
His drinking intensified. He lost his job and, at times, he was so anxious he couldn’t answer the phone.
His health also deteriorated and, in July last year, he collapsed and ended up in St Thomas’ Hospital.
“I was staying at a friend’s flat,” he says. “I started to get the shakes, so I went for some water, and then I passed out. Split my skull and broke my back. I was in hospital for three weeks. I knew I’d lost the flat, and I was really worried about the future. That’s when I met Alex and Stephen.”
Stephen Ohunta is a housing liaison worker wit the King’s Health Partners homeless health team at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT).
Alex, on the other hand, is part of the British Red Cross South-East London Homeless Team, a fairly new area for the Red Cross.
Part of Alex’s job is to run social care support services that help people settle back into normal life after leaving hospital.
Working with GSTT, they helped John find his place in Denmark Hill which is specially designed to help people with alcohol issues.
Alex helped John get on top of his finances by opening a bank account. “He had to persuade me because I hadn’t been in the system for decades,” said John.
“But one day I lost my wallet at the food bank, with all my cash in it, and Alex said I needed a safer place for my money.
“I would never have done it on my own. I wouldn’t have had the confidence. It was a nerve-wracking thing. But now it’s up and running I can take my details to the Post Office.
For the first time in decades, John has access to benefits and a support network, and is even thinking about getting his own place in a few years’ time.
“Without the Red Cross I wouldn’t be here, I’d be out on the street. Now I’m fed, I’m warm, my drinking is under control, I’m learning to judge my money more carefully. I’ve got a GP and I’m taking care of myself better. A lot of that is thanks to Alex,” he said.
The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies. We enable vulnerable people in the UK and overseas to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them to recover and move on with their lives. www.redcross.org.uk