Many people across the country dread spending Christmas alone. But what is being homeless at Christmas like? Richard Edwards asked two members of York's street community

NICK Farrell is 33 and a father-of-three. He is also a drug addict, and has been dependent on opiate-based drugs for nearly 12 years. He doesn't know if he will see his children this Christmas.

He said: "I do quite like Christmas, but sometimes it depresses me, sometimes it makes me feel like more of a loser than I do already.

"The reason I feel like a loser is because I have got to get up every morning, go to the chemist and pick up 80mls of methadone, which I am totally dependent on."

Nick, who lives at the Arc Light Centre, in Leeman Road, York, became homeless five months ago after a difficult split from his long-term partner, the mother of his children.

He turned from an occasional heroin user into an addict after his baby son died at birth.

"I just wanted something to suppress the pain and it worked. I suppose I've got an addictive personality," he said.

He hopes not to be on the streets for long, as he is working on his addiction with York drugs agency Compass.

"Compass are great and, for the first time in ages, I feel a bit optimistic. I know this might be over-optimistic, but in a year I want to be clean. I want to be off it by next Christmas.

"I'm not sure what I'll do on Christmas Day, it depends how I'm feeling. I might be up for joining in with the others, I might feel like being on my own. It's a day-to-day thing."

Brian Parker, who has been on York's streets for more than three years, said Christmas is "a sad time" for him.

He said: "I think that goes for a lot of people who are homeless at Christmas."

Brian said Christmas activities are on offer at the Arc Light Centre, where he lives, but he prefers to do his own thing.

A drinker who does not use drugs, Brian often spends time in Glen Gardens, Heworth, with his friends.

"I just get out and about, I am not bothered. I remember when the kids were small, crying when they opened their presents, now I just get a bit down, so I do my own thing.

"Last year I went up to the park like normal, I'll probably do it again this year.

"The lads were all up there, it was quite sad, but there was a bit of a Christmassy atmosphere as well.

"It's a time for families more than anything else. If I get back into my own place, hopefully I will enjoy a family Christmas again myself."

Updated: 09:47 Tuesday, December 24, 2002