A former homeless man from Leeds who struggled with addiction has spoken out about turning his life around as he prepares to step into his first job.
Josh Ellis, 25, was addicted to crack cocaine and spice and living on the streets until 2020, when he met Haydn Lee from charity Vulnerable Citizen Support (VCS).
Since then, he's gone on a long journey to change his life - which has now resulted in him getting his first job with Glasscraft Decoratives in Leeds.
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Josh told LeedsLive: "That time in my life was really hard. I didn't know where I was going, I knew it wasn't the right direction.
"This job is going to be a big change for me and my life. It's been a huge journey. This is the first proper job I've had - it's really exciting for me.
"I feel so much better and happier in myself. When I was on the streets there was so much bad stuff happening around me. I didn't feel like I was going anywhere and I would think 'I've got to get up the next morning and do the same thing'.
"Now I finally feel like I know where I'm going and have a future. I can actually see something coming that's good and it's pushing me to get that better future."
Josh had been living on the streets for two years and struggling with addiction for nearly four years, relying on the kindness of a nearby Greggs worker for his breakfast every day.
He had ended up on the streets after some struggles with his family after the death of his father.
He went along to a VCS session where he was given a pair of shoes and a scooter, and charity founder Haydn just couldn't shake Josh from his mind.
Haydn went out to find Josh, and took him under the charity's wing - finding him somewhere to live, clothes, food, and helping him get clean.
When they found him, Josh struggled with his words and didn't know how to read or write - but he committed to VCS's help.
Since then, Josh has been working hard on his recovery, while volunteering for VCS to give back and getting some work experience at the same time at businesses around Leeds learning how to help out landscape gardening and in demolition.
He has now been clean for 398 days.
Haydn said: "I found Josh walking down Kirkstall Road and I told him: 'tell me your story, and I can help you'.
"We've been working on Josh's works skills over the last year and Glasscraft approached us to offer Josh a chance when he was ready.
"He wasn't ready a month and a half ago, but he's been working hard and he is now. They interviewed him and everything but never judged him.
"It's amazing to see how far he's come - it's not always been an easy journey but being part of Josh's journey has been incredible and I'm so grateful for us."
After Josh gained work experience helping out several Leeds businesses, he was recently offered his first job at Glasscraft Decoratives.
He started on January 19, 2022 - and said it feels like a "big change" in his life.
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He will be working in the warehouse helping make windows, packing, and more.
Josh intends to continue volunteering with VCS, and said he loves having the chance to help people in situations similar to his.
Last year he raised thousands for VCS by embarking on the Three Peaks challenge, and intends to do it again this year.
"Haydn has changed my life. He helped me get through things, he's helped me get this job," Josh said.
"It's been difficult and I did have one blip at the start. But I love going out and helping other homeless people and giving back."
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