St Martins helps Norwich's Anz Soumahoro move into NR3 flat

The 49-year-old has been helped by city homelessness charity St Martins to get his life back on track.

Now, after securing his own council flat in NR3, Anz says: "I am good, I am really good."

Will the help of his friends Anz has been working hard to decorate his new home (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Anz said that he found it hard to move forward at St Martins' Bishop Bridge House hostel despite a supportive atmosphere, stating an issue with religious influence.

He said: "It just didn’t sit well with me because I am not deeply religious."

Later it was decided that Anz was not the best fit for this housing and with the help of St Martins he has moved into his council flat.  

The keen poet, who grew up in an African orphanage, said: "My flat is splendid – I am writing a lot; I have found some quiet and I am genuinely happy. 

READ MORE: Norwich charity St Martins fear huge cuts impact on homeless

Anz Soumahoro says that his flat is splendid (Image: Sonya Duncan)

"I am in poor health due to alcohol abuse, but I am lucky, I have made a group of friends who have helped me decorate. 

"I am also a very poor cook and I have a friend who has been cooking for me if I supply them with the ingredients."

Anz spends a lot of time writing and hopes to publish his poems as a book one day.

Anz spends most of his time writing - saying he does it at all hours (Image: Sonya Duncan)

He arrived in Norwich in 2010 but saw his life fall apart after a series of personal issues, leading to problems with alcoholism.

But he now says he is eight months sober and, to people who are struggling with addiction, Anz said: “I would like people to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

"I would like them to know that this is not the end, this is the beginning."