Sam* was made homeless when her mum asked her to leave the family home. She lived with her sister temporarily but it was never intended to be a long-term solution.
Our Supported Lodgings service was able to help Sam and she was paired with a Host. When she first moved in, Sam was very quiet and shy. However, she soon developed more confidence, responding well to the support she was offered and engaging well with the Host.
With her increased self-confidence, Sam was able to start work in a salon, while also working part-time in a clothes shop and studying Beauty Therapy at college. She worked hard and was able to pay for driving lessons, passing her test first time. She even managed to save up to buy a car. As she learned more life skills and self-sufficiency, she was able to pay her rent independently.
Sam followed the placement agreement and respected the Host’s house rules. She was flourishing and growing in confidence all the time.
However, things took a turn when Sam lost her job in the salon and gave up her other job to focus on her studies. Being left with no income made Sam very stressed and greatly impacted her mental wellbeing. The Step by Step support worker and the Host sat down with Sam to discuss how to resolve the situation. It was agreed that Sam would stay in placement until she found another job.
Sam gained her Level 3 Beauty Therapy qualification, and with help from her support worker and Host, she soon gained well-paid employment in a spa. She was able to pay her rent independently once more and grew in confidence again, pursuing a career she really enjoyed.
When Sam felt she was able to move on, she was supported in looking for private rental properties and found a flat that she liked. The council were able to support Sam with a contribution towards the deposit and first month’s rent.
Sam has now moved into her new flat. Although she is sad to be leaving her Host, she has come a long way from the shy girl lacking life skills and is excited about the next step in her life.
*Name changed to respect privacy.