Sally* became homeless at just 17 years old. When she thought she had nowhere else to go, there was a new family waiting to offer her safety and support.

Following a breakdown in her relationship with her parents, Sally moved in with her brother, sleeping on the sofa in his one-bedroom flat. However, this would jeopardize his tenancy and so Sally had to move on.

That’s where Step by Step was able to help. We assessed Sally to see which model of accommodation would best meet her needs. She had a history of poor mental health and needed a safe home and a supportive adult to help develop her skills and learn to live independently.

Step by Step’s Supported Lodgings service was the ideal solution. Its network of 250 placements spanning six counties, meant we could offer Sally a place with a host family within commuting distance of her college.

Sally moved into her new home within a week of her initial assessment. Her hosts made her feel safe and welcome, and they immediately got on well. Sally felt she could confide in her new mentors and talk about her life and aspirations.

One of the key benefits of Supported Lodgings is that it allows a young person to live in a family environment, with mentors they can learn from. That was very much the case for Sally. Her hosts helped her find a routine, taught her how to make healthy meals on a budget, and encouraged her to seek support from a GP for her mental health issues.

The hosts added Sally’s appointments to the family planner, showing her that she was considered as much a part of the family as their own children.

Sally has progressed immeasurably since moving into Supported Lodgings. She is doing well at college and wants study Bio-Medics at University. She is taking driving lessons and has found a part-time job that fits around her studies. For the first time, she is feeling confident about her future.

But perhaps most importantly of all, Sally now has somewhere she feels she belongs.

* Name changed to respect privacy