FROM rock bottom to the top of the world, a Bournemouth man has spoken about how he turned his experiences with homelessness into a force for good.

On World Homeless Day (October 10) Bournemouth-based BCHA manager Jamie Clarke has told of how he came to Dorset alone and desperate before finding the support to build a new life helping others.

As a manager at BCHA Learn in Bournemouth, Jamie is part of an organisation which works with people who are struggling with the threat of homelessness, unemployment and poor mental health - and helps them to rebuild their lives through support, education and training.

Jamie knows only too well what it means to be in the depths of despair.

“I had a difficult childhood, with many challenges along the way,” he said.

“Later, as a youth I embraced the rave scene of the 1990s. This became a lifestyle for me for a while. It was exciting but it came with instability.

“I’ve had terrible anxiety all my life and it wasn’t long before an unstable and chaotic lifestyle took its toll and left me in despair.”

Jamie moved to Bournemouth 16 years ago in a desperate bid to turn his life around.

“I was at rock bottom, I had no home and if I’m honest could not see any way out,” he said.

He was then offered a place at BCHA’s St Pauls Direct Access Hostel in Bournemouth where he was given the opportunity to join various groups and courses and meet new people.

Bournemouth Echo: BCHA St Swithuns House in Alder Hills. Picture: Google BCHA St Swithuns House in Alder Hills. Picture: Google (Image: Google)

Jamie went on to attain more than a dozen qualifications. He was subsequently offered a temporary job working as a brief intervention therapist in Bournemouth and Poole A&E.

This would lead to a full-time job as a development coach with BCHA Learn. “I have never looked back,” he said. “It was a huge turning point in my life.”

Twelve years on, Jamie now oversees BCHA Learning Centre and two other BCHA projects.

Jamie said: “I am privileged to see every day how our services help people successfully move on from issues such as the threat of homelessness, mental health, substance misuse and anxiety.

“I also have a family of my own. My children have given me the motivation and drive to continue to build a secure and stable lifestyle.”

Jamie continues to scale mountains - and not just in the metaphorical sense. He has raised money for BCHA with mountain climbs in Italy, Greece, North Africa and other places.

He will also soon tackle some challenging peaks in the Lake District.

Visit justgiving.com/bcha for more information.