As temperatures dipped towards freezing early in 2015, Kyle Eldridge was facing the very real prospect of having to find somewhere to sleep on the cold and lonely streets of Abergavenny.

Kyle who is now 20 and registered disabled with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) didn’t know what to do.

Two years on, his life has dramatically turned around. He now has a flat of his own in the town, is studying at Coleg Gwent and has won several awards as a result.

“I was in a very bad place,” said Kyle.

“I had lived in eight different houses during my childhood and left school with just three GCSEs.

“Things were very difficult at home and I lost all sense of hope. I used to stay in the house for three to four months straight. I felt paralysed like I was in a prison.”

Kyle suffered a general breakdown and was hospitalised and decided to move to Abergavenny when he was discharged.

“I had family links to the area and had heard about Gateway Church through those connections,” he said.

“When I was ill the members had been told about me and were praying for me.

“But when I first came to Abergavenny I was still recovering and was very difficult to live with.

“Things came to a head and I had no where to go. I was advised to get in touch with Monmouthshire County Council to help me get accommodation and luckily they managed to find me a flat and saved me from having to live on the streets.”

Kyle only had a bed, table and washing up bowl when he moved in but says his new found faith gave him a sense of purpose.

“After trying all possible ways to live life, I realised that the one thing I was missing was Christianity and God’s love has saved me,” said Kyle who has now been baptised at Gateway Church.

“It provided me with a family, love and support - an armchair to rest and get well upon.

“I vividly remember seeing the sparsely furnished flat and it was a wake up call for me.

“I knew if I wanted to survive I had to make a go of things.

“Everyone from Monmouthshire Housing, the council, church and the Shoe Zone store, where I was doing work experience, were really supportive and really helped to keep me on track.”

Following the advice and support of those close to him Kyle decided to go to college and enrolled in Coleg Gwent’s skills for further study, winning a student excellence award. He also received a Monmouthshire Housing Award for making a difference in the community.

He has spent the last academic year on a professional cookery course and begins a business study course in September at Coleg Gwent’s Ebbw Vale campus. In the last few weeks he has received a third award and a mini iPad from the college for 100 per cent attendance.

“I don’t drive and use public transport and one time I had to walk all the way home from Brynmawr,” explained Kyle, “I am determined not to waste the opportunities I’ve been blessed with.”

Donna McConnigle of Reach, is Kyle’s support worker and nominated him for one of the awards. She said:

“I helped nominate Kyle for his award with MHA due to his hard work and determination in changing his life around.

“When I first met him he was having trouble with his finances, he had very low income and was struggling to live. He now has savings and has full control of his finances.

“He is always concerned about others and a true inspiration to any young man who has had to deal with the problems he has had to incur.

“I see Kyle once a week and he has become very independent, is always happy and if he could change the world to be a better place he would.

“He’s a pleasure to work with.”

Kyle’s former course tutor Sue Holder put him forward for the Coleg Gwent award. She said:

“We’ve seen Kyle transform over two years from someone with very little experience of formal education to a hard-working successful student, and it’s been a joy to witness.

“He started with us on a level two Skills for Further Studies course, which is a ‘return to learn’ course aimed as a ‘second chance’ for those who have been out of education for a while or who didn’t have the usual route through secondary school.

“His attendance is exemplary and he’s worked extremely hard, putting in many hours above and beyond the usual college hours – he’s often the first to arrive and the last to leave.

“Over his two years at college, he has faced a wide range of challenges and personal barriers, and he has been determined and independent in resolving them and not allowing them to stand in the way of his college career. We’re extremely proud of Kyle and all that he’s achieved.”

Chris Vaz pastor of Gateway Church, Abergavenny said, “It’s been amazing to see the journey Kyle’s been on. From nothing, to a place of stability and hope, is nothing short of a miracle, and a testimony to God’s incredible love and Kyle’s faithful perseverance. His best years only lie ahead of him.”

Kyle said, “It’s nice to have been put forward for these awards and I have been blessed so much especially considering that I was on the edge of total collapse just two years ago,” said Kyle.

“Then I had nowhere to live, now I have a home and am welcome at church, in college, Shoe Zone, Reach and Monmouthshire Housing.

“I have been at my happiest studying, and pursuing my academic studies within college. I am combatively determined not to waste any opportunities, and hope to my story inspires and encourages others.”