“I suffered from severe lows and extreme highs, and I isolated myself within the illness,” he admitted. “That’s largely why I became homeless.”

Sleeping rough on the streets propelled the 28-year-old into a vicious downward spiral – his self esteem plummeted and he could not envision any future for himself.

“I woke up at 6pm every evening in my hostel, not wanting to see anyone or do anything,” he recalled. “I had no confidence and did as little as possible.”

But one day Harris embarked upon a journey that would reverse his fortunes after being encouraged by his key worker to sign up to the Crisis Changing Lives programme. The homelessness charity gave him a £2,000 grant, funding a fitness instructors’ course.

Since his involvement with Crisis Changing Lives, Harris has become an inspiration to others. Now responsible for a gym and a small team, he is committed to helping other disadvantaged individuals achieve their goals.

“Fitness is something I’d always been interested in,” he said. “It’s quite ironic now, I suppose, because I was so depressed before. Part of it’s luck and part of it’s will to get out of it, as it’s easy not to bother.”

Harris was the overall winner at the Crisis awards, held on September 5 in central London and sponsored by Barclay’s Bank. The ceremony marked the achievements of both former, and current, homeless individuals whose prospects have been transformed thanks to Changing Lives.

Embarking upon training courses has proved to be the stepping-stone for many, providing direction and the financial backing for opportunities they could not dream of otherwise.

Connie Moore, an ex-rough sleeper of many years from Bristol, is one of those who has benefited. Moore was first diagnosed with depression as a teenager, and suffered from chronic low self-esteem, anxiety, and eating disorders. These problems continued into her adulthood, when she first became homeless after entering rehab. She also persistently self-harmed, fuelled by her drug and alcohol abuse.

But after receiving supported accommodation with the Bristol Churches Group, she rebuilt her confidence and got a Crisis Changing Lives Award to retrain in holistic and beauty practices. The charity also funded equipment for her course.

Moore now plans to set up her own complementary therapy business as well as establishing a drop-in service to give holistic treatments to the homeless. “I really enjoy what I’m doing. I see it as a way of treating your mind and body rather than neglecting yourself,” she said.

“I’ve learned a hell of a lot from the past and I’m determined to help others turn their lives around – every person deserves that,” she concluded.

Moore was highly commended in the Business Category of the Crisis Changing Lives Champions Awards and received praise from Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop
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Tara Healy managed to turn her live around in less than three years. “I knew I wanted to go back to work, but didn’t know how to go about it,” she explained.

Healy has suffered from bulimia since the age of 15, and fallen into using excessive drugs and alcohol. “They both seemed like a natural path of life then as everyone was doing it,” she reminisced.

“I was naturally shy and anxious, but when I was high, I felt like a completely different person.”

Into her adulthood, the abuse increased and so did her anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. While working as a personnel manager for the police, her relationship broke down and she was forced to resign from her job. She then became destitute.

Since entering St. Mungo’s hostel, Healy has received a Crisis Changing Lives Award, which has enabled her to pursue an MA in Human Resource Management at the University of Westminster. She also got £1,130 for computer equipment, textbooks and professional fees.

“The M was a turning point. It gave me such a boost and the confidence to become an HR manager – something I didn’t think I’d be able to do again.”

Healy now enjoys a job as human resource manager for Ealing Housing Support in west London and volunteers much of her spare time working in rehab clinics. She received a nomination for a Crisis Changing Lives Champions Award for her achievements, and was runner up in the Education category.

Kaye Poole,a project manager for the Crisis Changing Lives programme, told The Big Issue: “All these examples reflect the importance of learning and skills in enabling homeless people to integrate fully back into society”.

The programme’s success has prompted plans for its continuation for the next three years, fielding three awards rounds per year.

Changing Lives has now provided over 700 financial awards to homeless people, 60 per cent of who have since been in long term employment.