Home
Case Studies
Azz Age 21
Lional Age 18
Referred by Barnardos to Barnabas-Safe & Sound
I ended up on the streets because when I was growing up I
used drugs and alcohol and kept falling out with my mother and father, in the end I got kicked out. I was really unsettled, I found a house in Blyth to stay at. There were four people living there and one of the people gave me heroin. At some points I felt suicidal and tried to kill myself. Back then I was like an alcoholic, I couldn?t stay off the drugs, I was using dope and green (ketamine) every day. Barnardos got me out and referred me to Sorted to help get me off the drugs. I got a bedsit in Alnwick, this was emergency accommodation organised by the council and I stayed there for about a month and a half. Then I got supported lodging in Wooler and I stayed there for about a year.
Barnardos referred me to Barnabas-Safe & Sound, this helped me settle right down. The staff encouraged me and referred me to Connexions who helped me to find an apprenticeship in the construction industry. I began to get on much better with my father too. Living with Barnabas-Safe & Sound has helped me realise what life is about and not to waste it. Support doesn?t make much difference to me now, but when I moved in it gave me the confidence, helped get me my job, helped me learn to budget and realise what I want from life. I want to become a qualified plasterer and I want to get a place of my own.
I couldn?t have done this without the help from Barnardos, Sorted, Barnabas-Safe & Sound and Connexions.
Lional has been supported and accommodated by Barnabas-Safe & Sound since 6th May 2009. He is now living in his own tenancy in Ashington.
Jordan Age 18
Referred by his Dad
My Housing Crisis happened when I was 17. I had been living with my dad and his girlfriend for 5/6 years but I never got on with his girlfriend. After a while it was like a war? I got the impression that I was the problem and it would be better to move out. Dad got a new flat with me but he could not afford the rent on two properties so he looked for alternative accommodation for me. It was dad who made contact with Barnabas-Safe & Sound first.
When I moved to Barnabas-Safe & Sound, I just wanted my own space ? the bedroom was big compared to what I was used to and I shared the rest of the house. I kept to myself and I struggled to understand why the other residents could not keep the place as clean as I would expect.
At the time my priorities were attending and finishing college, (I was studying Business and IT at Newcastle College) and cricket (my escape). My Support Worker Kerry was definitely helpful. She helped sort out my benefits and start off the process of finding my mum (I had been adopted). After about 2 ½ months I was put in contact with my birth mum, it all happened amazingly fast ? luckily my grandmother still lived at the same address as stated on my original birth certificate. I am now living with my mum who is a pub landlord in Battle Hill ? Wallsend. Everything is absolutely perfect now. I get on really well with both my dads and my mother. Nothing could be better as far as this is concerned. I am now back to college for the final year of my Certificate.
Barnabas-Safe & Sound gave me my own space, kept me off the streets and gave me something to build on. I really want to thank every one at Barnabas-Safe & Sound.
Jordan is now living with his birth mother
Nikita Age 18
Nikita self referred
When I was 16 me and my mum clashed and always argued. We were sick of the sight of each other. The more time we spent together the more we would argue. The main subject was me not helping in the house. I frequently walked out and avoided the house. My mum got upset when I would walk out and just get the bus somewhere ? looking back I was struggling to communicate with my mum ? my only support was my friends - Sometimes I stayed with friends who were living at the Barnabas House in Morpeth.
I applied to Barnabas-Safe & Sound but there were no vacancies, so Sandra one of the staff offered to help me look for alternative accommodation. I went for a homelessness assessment but because I was 16 they could not help and sent me to social services, but they did not help either. During this time I stayed at home but kept staying out at least two nights a week. There did not seem to be any solutions to my problem other than Barnabas-Safe & Sound Housing project. I was 17 when I was eventually offered a space. I was upset at first because I had to share with 2 strangers. I did not feel comfortable. A friend called Lucy helped me by involving me in conversations and by talking with me. My support worker Sandra was also quite helpful although it took me along time to really get to know her.
My priorities were getting back to college ? I was hardly attending and I had packed in my job. I am amazed that in 2009 I managed to finish a Level 2 course in Restaurant Management and Professional Cooking. Since then I have applied for the Army but been rejected on medical grounds. I intend to apply again in 2012. Meanwhile I now have a job, it makes a big difference to me, I feel like it is my money because I have earnt it. I am not sitting around so much either. This is good because when I am bored I tend to turn to drink because there is nothing else to do. I am now getting more and more shifts, washing dishes, cleaning kitchens, getting more and more responsibilities as assistant chef too.
Looking back I left my job when I moved into Barnabas-Safe & Sound, I do regret that but I was encouraged to finish college and I am proud of that achievement. Hopes for the future ? I want to get into the army ? I want to live in Rothbury, which is closer to my family and work. My relationship with mum is a lot better now.
Nikita is still accommodated by Barnabas-Safe & Sound but has exceeded her maximum 2 year limit and is being supported to move on.
My experience at Barnabas Safe and Sound: By Matt our first resident from 2002.
When I first met the staff at Barnabas Safe and Sound I was a young and perhaps little naïve 17 year old, the staff helped me to secure accommodation (following my 18th birthday) in a flat in the local area; assisted with skills including budgeting, managing a property, benefits and more - perhaps most importantly someone to listen and support me . Being part of the project also increased my social life with group activities and away days with other young adults in a similar situation to me - a good way of having fun whilst providing an opportunity to discuss life with new friends.
As the project was relatively new at the time I also enjoyed the opportunity to develop my administration skills working voluntarily within their offices on a part-time basis.
The experience, knowledge and life skills gained during my time with the project have helped with both my home and working life: I now work as a full-time administrator for the supported housing department within a housing association and rent a two bedroom house with my girlfriend and the cat!
