Homeless man who gave his coat to a shivering young couple starts work as a gardener after they helped him land job
Joey says he just needed someone to believe in him
AN ex-homeless man whose life was transformed by a young couple's act of kindness has vowed to help others living on the streets - after starting his new job as a gardener.
Joey was sleeping rough close to Covent Garden Tube station two weeks ago when he met stranded Charlotte Ellis and her boyfriend Taylor Waldon and offered them his coat and duvet.
Touched by his generosity, the pair invited him home - and just five days later had secured Joey a job and got him a roof over his head in Essex.
He is now staying with Charlotte’s friends Jenni Kiri and Bradley Munro and was proudly made a full-time gardener at Rylands Associates in Southend.
Joey said: "I just wasn't expecting all of this to happen, and so quickly as well.
"These people have given me the chance to put my life back on track.
"I am very thankful of having people like that beside me who have turned into good friends as well.
"Actually that night, I was going to lie down in a different place, but something just told me that night to stay there.
"I think it was God's guidance that helped us to meet up in that way."
I just want to be able to help other homeless people - I was in their position just a month ago.
Joey
Tomorrow, Joey and his new pals will head back to London to hand out clothes and duvets to homeless people struggling to keep warm.
He wants to raise £10,000 to help others get off the street and into employment.
"It has been a real mix of emotions," he said.
"I just want to be able to help other homeless people - I was in their position just a month ago."
Joey says the past month has been a whirlwind following a rocky patch in his life.
The 28-year-old had moved over from Dublin with his partner and four-month-old daughter in search of a new life, but was suddenly living on the streets.
He said: "We had a really big argument and I ended up walking away from her and she headed back to Ireland.
"I decided to stay to see if I can improve things and do things better for myself to be able to help my daughter - and they have.
"I was on a really rocky edge. I have always struggled with money management. I just needed someone to believe in me.
"And now I've got a roof over my head and a steady job."
In a matter of weeks, Joey has gone from living on the streets in London to having his own room and a new job after Brad recommended him to his employer.
Brad said: "He stays in our spare bedroom and comes to work with me everyday.
"It is mind-blowing that we have been able to do
"If you don't ever give someone a chance, you'll never know what they can achieve.
"He's a nice guy, helps out round the house and even cooks - so it's not too bad."
I am a great believer that everybody deserves a second chance.
Grant Cooper
Joey has even had an offer from his new boss to pay a deposit on his very own place.
Managing director of Rylands Associates, Grant Cooper, said: “I am a great believer that everybody deserves a second chance.
"Joey came across as someone who just needed a hand and I am delighted that I was able to lend one.
"I just went with my gut - and it's paid off.
"I have now offered to help Joey find a flat and pay the deposit.
"I will gladly help people if they are prepared to show a willingness to work , it is people that do nothing to help themselves but expect to be given funds that I object too."
Joey added: "I can't thank him enough."
The woman who made this is all possible for Joey is wedding coordinator Charlotte, who brought Joey back to her family home in Essex after a post-Christmas night out.
In a 1,100-word Facebook essay, Charlotte recounted the "whirlwind" tale of how her and Taylor's chance meeting with Joey during the "drunken" night out.
She said: "Joey is the most amazing, caring and incredible human that we have ever met and I’m so blessed to have been a part of getting him off the streets.
“All he needed was someone to have faith in him and to help be that stepping stone to make a difference to someone’s life.
"“Sometimes, all someone needs is someone to give them a little bit of their time."
On Wednesday January 4, the young couple were waiting for morning services at Covent Garden to resume after missing the last Tube home.
She said Joey asked if she wanted to borrow his coat and duvet, and the three of them started chatting.
"There was just something about him that was so sincere, I couldn’t leave him out there on his own," she said.
"No one deserves to be out in these conditions. I'm not saying that you should trust everyone you meet on a street corner, but who exactly should you trust?"
Despite fearing the wrath of her mum, Charlotte decided to take Joey back to her family home in Billericay in a taxi.
Over the next five days, she and her friends, took him for a curry and a haircut, got him a mobile phone and some clothes.
Since revealing the amazing story on Facebook, her post has been shared more than 1,000 times.
Charlotte added: “We're absolutely astonished and overwhelmed that my post went viral, all I hope is that people think to give people like Joey a little bit of their time. That's all I I wish for.”
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Brad's partner Jenni Kiri wrote on Facebook: "I feel so blessed to be a part of this and to have met joey.
"People think we're crazy having him stay with us, but I don't get a single bad vibe from him, he's so happy to be working with Bradley and so grateful for everything we've all done for him.
"To know that between us we have TRULY changed someone's life for the better. It makes me feel warm inside.
"I reckon we have a friend for life in our new mate joey! He's a legend!"
Help Joey and his new friends raise £10,000 to encourage homeless people get off the street, by .
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