Former rough sleeper shares story of survival and recovery

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 12:02 · Archive

A former homeless woman in Ipswich who endured violence and sexual assault while sleeping rough has rebuilt her life with help from an outreach programme.

Lois Macdonald, known as Tink, spent years homeless on the streets of Ipswich after addiction left her without support. She described life on the streets as dangerous and traumatic. 'Each day, or night, I would be a receiver of something awful,' she said. 'Sexual assault, beating, harassment, the list goes on.' At one point she was sleeping on the floor outside a Subway at Cardinal Park in Ipswich.

Macdonald's health suffered severely from years of addiction. She was repeatedly admitted to hospital with blood clots, blood infections and cellulitis. Doctors told her on more than one occasion that she was 'lucky to be alive'. 'No matter how many times I was sat before a judge, prison, hospitals, it felt like nobody cared, or could see that I needed help,' she said.

Her turning point came when she met Gareth, the director of The Bus Shelter, an outreach programme supporting those sleeping rough in Ipswich. Gareth gave her warm food and helped her reconnect with her family. 'At that point I had already given up on everything,' she said. She credits him and The Bus Shelter with saving her life. After attending rehab and rebuilding relationships with her family, Macdonald now helps others facing the challenges she once endured.

How it is being reported

• 'I was lucky to be alive' - Former rough sleeper relives darkest chapter of her lifeA woman who endured violence, sexual assault and repeated hospital admissions while sleeping rough on the streets of Ipswich has spoken about the trauma of homelessness and the long road to rebuilding her life.Ipswich Star · 15 Oct, 04:30
• 'I was lucky to be alive' - Former rough sleeper relives darkest chapter of her lifeA woman who endured violence, sexual assault and repeated hospital admissions while sleeping rough on the streets of Ipswich has spoken about the trauma of homelessness and the long road to rebuilding her life.East Anglian Daily Times · 15 Oct, 04:30

In this story: Lois Macdonald · Gareth · The Bus Shelter · Ipswich · Cardinal Park

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