Homeless delivery driver shares heartbreaking reality of living out of her car

A homeless woman has revealed what it is like sleeping in the same car she delivers parcels in.

Despite working for Hermes, driving parcels to customers in Folkestone, Kent, Karna Stephens says she cannot afford anywhere to rent in the area.

She explained her dad's house ran out of room for her when other relatives moved in but she was able to move in with her partner.

When the couple split over a year ago Karna says she was left with nowhere to go other than the vehicle she relies on to make deliveries.

Karna told Kent Live: "My dad's house was getting really overcrowded with my step-siblings moving in.

"I moved in with my boyfriend at the time, but we split up shortly after, but I couldn't go back because obviously there was no room.

"Most of my family don't have space for me.

"I've been homeless for about a year now and it's quite horrible, like, just sleeping in a car.

"Especially when people are walking past and looking in – it just makes it really uncomfortable."

Her job has been something of a lifeline and she adds: "Everyone is really supportive [at work], everyone is understanding of my situation, and they let me come in a bit earlier so I can charge my phone and make sure I'm all ready for work.

"I don't like not working – especially when I'm homeless because otherwise all I'm really doing is sitting around in my car the whole day or walking around."

Karna's received huge amounts of support from friends and family, but explained that people can only give as much as they can.

She said: "I've had a lot of support from my friends and family, and they've helped me out with food and lights and blankets and stuff like that, just to make it a bit more comfortable.

"Even though I don't have a place I've been offered the sofa by my friends and family – and there's been a lot of people who have been able to put me up for about a month or so at a time.

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"I've had a place for a little bit, but obviously because a lot of them are also struggling with money they couldn't keep me there."

But for Karna, even with so many people in her support network being helpful and giving what they can, there are others she's lost due to the stigma around her current situation.

"And then some people – well they're not my friends anymore – but four people who used to be my friends have said that it's embarrassing that I'm asking for help on Facebook.

"Obviously it's made me feel more insecure about it, but if I need help I'm going to ask for it."

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