A MAN who spent nearly a year homeless and sleeping in the woods after losing his job during the pandemic has turned his life around and is now studying to become an archaeologist.

Daniel Woolman, 33, used to work as a chef in a Michelin-star restaurant but fell on unfortunate times during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Originally from Leicester, Daniel lost his job in 2021 and was unable to pay his rent, because of this, he spent 10 months homeless, sleeping in Basing Wood.

"I lost my job, and then my second job fell through and I couldn't afford to pay my rent" he said, adding "I used the last of my money to buy a tent and a sleeping bag and slept in Basing Wood.

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Daniel Woolman spent nearly a year homeless and is now studying to be an archaeologistDaniel Woolman spent nearly a year homeless and is now studying to be an archaeologist (Image: Newsquest)

"I was a lot safer there than I would have been in the streets in town. The first thing I had to think about was safety."

Daniel explained how he received help from the Basingstoke and Southampton-based homelessness organisation - Outcome Home - a social enterprise which provides psychological support for those who are homeless.

Having spent 10 months sleeping rough, winter loomed and Daniel faced potentially having to brave the cold, harsh conditions that come with the season.

He said: "I managed to get out of this mess with help from Charlie from Outcome Home, he fought tooth and nail during December that year.

"I was considered a low priority because I was a single male, but Charlie didn't stop and he did everything he could to get me out of that situation."

Now, two years on from those dark times, Daniel's life has completely changed.

He now has a home in Buckskin and is making the most of his time - studying online with the University of Leicester - Daniel aims to achieve his goal and become an archaeologist.

Daniel said: "I'm never going back to work in a kitchen again, I'm studying a Ba in archaeology and ancient history, and I aim to be an archaeologist - I'm not sure what time period I want to specialise in, though.

"I thought I might as well go fully in, so when I'm done, I will also do a master's and PhD in archaeology too."

Charlie and Outcome Home really helped me, and my advice to anyone in my situation would be: don't panic, work out what services are available and take full advantage of them."

The Gazette spoke to Charlie from Outcome Home, who said: "We are a team of people with lived experience, shared experience of homelessness who work to provide psychological support and outreach to those who need it, while also providing a trusting environment.

"We mentor and support getting people through life, through our own lived experience.

"I used to have a really good job, working for the biggest IT company in the world, and I became addicted to cocaine and lost everything.

"I had to rebuild my life and now I dedicate my life to helping people who share that experience of being homeless.

"The support we give is unique in Basingstoke, and that is why we have good outcomes."

Readers can find out more about Outcome Home by visiting: https://www.outcomehome.com/