Andy’s Story

From a young age, Andy endured a deeply troubled home life, marked by persistent anxiety stemming from domestic violence and emotional abuse. His childhood was overshadowed by feelings of confusion, anger, and a profound sense of darkness. His father was violent not only toward Andy and his two siblings but also toward their pets and their mother.

While Andy harboured a deep hatred for his father’s cruelty, he also struggled with resentment toward his mother, unable to understand why she couldn’t find the strength to remove them from such a harmful environment.

The emotional trauma Andy experienced during those formative years left a lasting impact. He developed a heightened sensitivity to bullying and to the mistreatment of children—so much so that he would often react strongly, sometimes finding himself in conflict because of it.

Amid this turmoil, there was one place where Andy felt truly safe: the home of his grandparents. They offered him a sense of stability and acceptance, taking him to Sunday school and patiently trying to instill values of kindness and compassion. It was not an easy task, as Andy had become increasingly rebellious. Nevertheless, their efforts planted seeds that would later prove significant.

One of Andy’s most cherished memories is of the summer holidays spent at the Riverside Caravan Park in Southport with his grandparents. These times offered a brief but meaningful escape from the chaos at home and left a lasting impression. Although both grandparents had passed away by the time Andy was ten, the feeling of warmth, safety, and happiness associated with “Riverside” remained with him throughout his life.

Years later, during a particularly dark and difficult period, Andy found himself drawn to Riverside Church. The name evoked memories of comfort and peace from his childhood—and ultimately became a place of healing and transformation for him.

By the age of eleven, Andy was sleeping rough, homeless, and desperately searching for a sense of belonging. He gravitated toward local street gangs, frequenting cafés that housed fruit machines—commonly known as “one-armed bandits,” a term that resonated with him for their habit of stealing whatever little money he had. For Andy, those gang members felt like family. Despite the danger, they provided companionship, excitement, and a shared sense of loyalty. They looked out for one another, often clashing with rival groups to defend their territory.

Violence became a part of Andy’s life. He found himself in frequent fights, often acting out aggressively in an attempt to earn respect. By the time he turned seventeen, Andy was running burner phones and dealing recreational drugs. Although he avoided harder substances like heroin or cocaine, he regularly used and distributed marijuana, convinced at the time that it helped dull emotional pain. In hindsight, Andy recognises the damage cannabis caused to his mental health—heightening paranoia and creating destructive habits.

Life on the margins became his norm. Though he tried to stay in control, always aiming to avoid being the underdog, the financial cost of managing multiple phones caught up with him. Acquiring new mobile contracts had been surprisingly easy, which, in Andy’s case, only deepened his debt. He also lent money to acquaintances—individuals he believed were friends—charging interest to turn a profit. Unfortunately, that too spiralled beyond his control.

Much of his benefit income was wasted on fruit machines, which he now realises are deliberately designed to take more than they give. Andy had dreams of a better life—he imagined himself running a smoothie stall at a local market—but despite his ambitions, he was losing more than he was gaining. He moved through a number of hostels, but during a period living in Hockley, he encountered something that would begin to shift the course of his life: Hockley Destiny Church.

The church welcomed him warmly, and Andy began to sense that God had been protecting him all along, even during his darkest moments. He was drawn toward faith, especially when he recognised how often he had been preserved through dangerous situations. In an effort to deal with his growing problems, he reached out to Aquarius, a charity that helps individuals address problematic behaviours. Although the support was limited—one phone call every two weeks—Andy tried to engage. Often, frustration and emotional volatility would get the better of him, leading him to hang up before the conversation could help.

Still, he wanted to move forward, despite feeling stuck. An Aquarius advisor recommended he contact Riverside Money Advice (RMA) to address the growing mountain of debt, which he believed was around £10,000. In truth, it was over £21,000—an overwhelming figure that took a toll on his mental well-being.

Starting the process with RMA was difficult. The early appointments were particularly challenging, as Andy struggled to focus and absorb advice. His anger often clouded his thinking, making it hard to slow down and follow the necessary steps. But he continued, motivated by a growing belief that God had led him to this path. A story from the Bible—about Joshua marching obediently around the city of Jericho—was shared with him at Riverside and resonated deeply. The message of persistence and obedience gave Andy the patience he needed to stick with the process.

Three months in, things began to change. He redirected his energy into productive routines—keeping his home spotless, painting the outside, and staying away from drugs to maintain mental clarity. He closed his old bank account, opened a new one, and began rebuilding his life on a more stable foundation. The moment he learned that his Debt Relief Order had been approved was a turning point—it felt, in his words, "like my chains are gone."

Now in his fifties, Andy is determined to earn a legitimate income and maintain his progress. He speaks passionately about the impact RMA has had, not just financially, but spiritually. His relationship with God has deepened. When anger rises, he turns to prayer and asks Jesus to calm him—and, remarkably, he finds that peace.

Andy is learning that anger itself is often his greatest obstacle. With his debt behind him, his mental health has improved, and he now knows where to turn for help when he needs it. Walking through the Bull Ring, he often meets people he’s known for years—people who notice a change in him. When they ask, he shares his message:

“Listen to me—you know I’ve made mistakes and had more than my fair share of problems. But you won’t get anywhere trying to do it all in your own strength. You need to stop and open your heart to God. That’s the only solution.”

He buys them a coffee, prays with them, and hopes his story might offer them the hope they need.

Andy reads the Bible every single day—he hasn’t missed a day in over 450 days. Just yesterday, he read Psalm 139, and it struck him powerfully. “What an amazing poem that is,” he said. “It really touched me.”

From sleeping rough as a child to finding peace and purpose in adulthood, Andy’s journey is one of resilience, redemption, and renewed hope. With God's help—and the support of compassionate organisations like RMA—he’s finally stepping out of the shadows and into the light.