LOOKING at the spot on the ground which was once his makeshift bed and marked his lowest point - Hugo Sugg cannot believe how far he has come.

From being just 18 and homeless forced to sofa surf then sleep on the streets, seven years later his life has come full circle and now he is settled living in Worcester city centre, studying at university and campaigning to prevent youth homelessness.

But that cold and lonely night outside a cashpoint in Hereford still haunts him and he admits to feeling eerie as he looks at the spot where he bedded down believing he would be safer because of the CCTV cameras.

Having moved from Worcester to Hereford with a partner, the relationship broke down and his family relationships were already strained.

After running out of options - and friends - to sofa surf and having to drop out of college, Hugo had very little options left so packed two bags and left with just 20p in his pocket.

He relied on Supported Housing for Young People Project (SHYPP), Nightstop or the library until one night when no-one could help and he found himself sleeping rough.

"This was the night my life went somewhere I never imagined.

"I was on my own with my only belongings in the two bags that I had on me.

"No money. No covers. Only the clothes I was wearing.

"I was quite warm, I had eaten a little and I was above a CCTV camera in a sheltered cashpoint lobby. It was something.

"What did I feel that night? How did I feel?

"Suicide. Desperation. Hate. Anger. Loss. Panic. Loneliness. Scared. Fright. Hurt. Sadness. Shame.

"Going back to the cashpoint it was weird, quite an eerie feeling. It was like walking back in time.

"It was amazing to see how far I had come but it did tip me up emotionally."

The 25-year-old student, who is studying youth and community work at University of Worcester, has shared his experience in a blog which he hopes to try to prevent youth homelessness.

"It's really easy for young people to become homeless and roofless.

"My background is quite middle class but I kind of rebelled however there is no such thing as a typical homeless person which is one thing I have learned through campaigning - anyone could become homeless.

"Most of us are only two pay packets away from the risk of homelessness and so it is a very, very real issue which could creep up on anyone.

"My life changed overnight, becoming homeless had been almost unthinkable, I don't think many people could imagine losing their home."

He credits SHYPP with helping him get back on his feet and said they acted as a buoyancy aide during the rough times.

"They kept me really sane. I was given a support worker who was absolutely amazing and would ask where I was staying and where I was going.

"I owe my life to SHYPP because their were times were I considered jumping off a bridge because I didn't feel like a person - I was living on the street, I didn't have a home or food, I didn't have money."

Hugo, who also works part-time in a bed and breakfast in Stourport, advises anyone at risk of homelessness to get in touch with organisations as soon as possible.

"Make sure you know available and spotting the signs that you could be potentially made homeless.

"Red letters, eviction notices, lack of money, overcrowding at home, breakdown of relationships.

"Talk with people and ask advice - sometimes it isn't what you know but who you know."

Happily, his relationship with his mum, stepdad and sisters is back on track and he is now in his own private accommodation.

"I'm here, I'm happy and I know I am lucky.

"But seven years ago almost to the month I nearly lost everything.

"Sadly, I wasn't the first or last to sleep at the spot outside the bank, there are people still lying down where I slept.

"I want to highlight how easy it is to get caught in this cycle living on someone's sofa, being made homeless, sleeping on the streets and hopefully make a difference."

To read Hugo's blog log on to hugosugg.wordpress.com/2015/10/27/youth-homelessness-pt1.

If you are at risk of homelessness, contact Worcester City Council's housing advice team on 01905 722589 or log on to worcester.gov.uk/homeless-or-at-risk-of-homelessness.