'Broken' homeless woman speaks out about her rags to riches lockdown story in Milton Keynes

Sandra Vaz, 44, said her life was in crisis a year ago, shortly before the Covid crisis struck in MK.

She had lost her job, her relationship ended and she found suddenly homeless.

"There was no one to help me so I ended up sleeping and living in my car for three months... I felt like the world was ending.

"I could not find a job or get any support from my local council. My friends were all busy with

their lives and could not help or support me and I eventually lost touch with them. This really hurt me as I had always been there for my friends."

During lockdown, the government issued an ultimatum to local authorities that homeless people should be kept off the streets. MK Council began searching for hotels willing to put them up, and eventually struck a deal with the Travelodge at Central Milton Keynes,

Sandra said: "After three months of homelessness, on the May 20 2020, I received a phone call from the council saying that they had secured temporary accommodation for me at Milton Keynes Central Travelodge. I could not believe that my prayers had been answered and that someone out there was going to help me.

"I cannot tell you what a relief it was to have a room and a comfortable bed to sleep in. But most of all I was overwhelmed by the big welcome that I received from the hotel team. It was also very reassuring to see the tight safety Covid-19 measures the hotel team had in place at the hotel."

Sandra had lived a life of total isolation while sleeping rough and found it strange to be interacting with people again.

"I had not had human contact for several months and to meet strangers who just wanted to make me feel secure and comfortable was just so overwhelming.

"The Travelodge team helped me with basic essentials and were always kind and friendly towards me, it was not long before we all became friends. the hotel manager Dawn Knight was so supportive and always made time for me.

"Speaking with Dawn helped me to rebuild my confidence, as I felt broken when I arrived at the hotel."

Sadly, Sandra knew her hotel stay was short-term, and in August, when Covid restrictions had eased, she was found alternative accommodation through the charity Smart.

"I felt very sad having to leave the hotel. The day before I was leaving, I saw Dawn in the hotel reception area, just like I did every day during my stay - but on this day I was totally stunned.

"She told me that she had spoken to her management team and arranged an interview for me at a nearby Travelodge hotel – as I would be a good match for the role.

"I could not believe what Dawn was saying and I asked her to repeat what she said, three times before it actually sunk in. I was over the moon that someone who I had just met a little while ago could believe in me and do something so special to help me."

Sandra hurriedly learned as much as she could about the company before she was called for an interview with the team at Shenley Church End Travelodge.

"I was shocked at how nice the hotel manager and hotel team were. I could not believe, within a week of my interview I was offered the job. On August 24, I started my new job - but this is not just a job as I feel that I have a career and a bright future with the company."

With her first pay check in September, Sandra managed to put down a deposit on rented accommodation . She moved into her new home in November.

"I am so grateful to Dawn and her team, the kindness they showed me regained my faith in humanity and I will never forget how they supported me during the worst time of my life. They helped me to restart my life and gave me a second chance. I am just so grateful that I was sent to Milton Keynes Central Travelodge as this stay totally changed my life."

Meanwhile manager Dawn has described how Sandra "really stood out" for her from the start.

"She checked into our hotel last summer and when she arrived she looked broken, she had a tough start to

2020, she lost her job as a manager in a coffee shop, her relationship ended, the pandemic happened and she had no one to turn too and was all alone. I found out later that she had lived in her car for three months.

"There was something about Sandra that really touched me, I could see that she was a wonderful woman who had been hit by a line of bad luck and that this could happen to anyone at any time.

"My team and I welcomed her with open arms and made her feel very comfortable. Over the coming weeks I got to know Sandra and I knew that she needed an opportunity to restart her life again. I wanted to help her, as many people have helped me during my life and I would not be here if I was not given an opportunity.

"I spoke to my HR manager and we arranged for Sandra to have an interview for a receptionist role in a neighbouring Travelodge hotel. Sandra shone at the interview and was a perfect fit for the company and got the job. I was so overjoyed when I found out and to see the smile on Sandra’s face was absolutely priceless.

"I feel so blessed that I was in a position at Travelodge to make such a difference in Sandra’s life. My team and I feel so humble and privileged to have helped so many vulnerable people during the pandemic. We were just doing our job but providing a clean, comfy and cosy room in these unprecedented times has really made a big difference to so many lives."

Dawn added: "We were working around the clock with social distance measures in place to ensure that all of our guests were well looked after and we had a slick process in place - so that we could house the different customer segment groups on individual floors. We also appreciated the support that we received from the Smart charity team who manned a help desk at the hotel to support their guests."

"My team and I always go the extra mile to ensure everyone is well looked after. We get to know all of our guests and I like to create a happy environment for my team and guests as we are all need to stick together through this pandemic."

Lesley George, Sandra's boss and manager at the Shenley Church End Travelodge, said: “Sandra is one my best team members. I am delighted that she is part of my team and I do see a bright future for Sandra at Travelodge.

"It will not be long before Sandra secures a place on the company’s in-house management development programme called Aspire, which is designed to help entry level staff members climb the career ladder into a management position."

Safety sits at the heart of the Travelodge business and they have a Covid-19 safety programme called TravelodgeProtect+ in place.