Real People

* names have been changed

Bintou was 17 years old when she came to the UK from West Africa. She had contracted polio as a baby, which made walking really difficult. When she arrived in London in 2003, she couldn’t speak English so she was helped to find a suitable ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) course. With hard work and perseverance, her English improved. Her new language skills allowed her to pass her college exams with a first class qualification and was also chosen for two college awards – "The Commitment to Learning Award" for ESOL and the "Principal’s Award" for overall achievement. Bintou remembers: "At the award ceremony, there were dancers, speeches and poetry readings. I had to make a speech and had my photo taken for the local newspaper. They printed a story on me the following week. I am very proud of my achievement."

She went on to study for my GCSEs, and plans to go to university and gain as much knowledge as she can. "I would like thank everyone at CAYSH", says Bintou. "Living in their accommodation, I have received lots of help. This has made it a lot easier to achieve my goals."

"When our kids left home" said householder Colin Rees, "there was a bit of a hole. We got a leaflet about Supported Lodgings at our local church and realised that our extra room could help somebody else." Chris had previously spent three years in various YMCA hostels. His parents had separated when he was 16. His mother remarried and moved to France, his father to the Kent coast. Chris had just started college and inevitably his education suffered.

With the continuing support of the CAYSH’s Lodgings team, Chris got a job in a petrol station and the Rees family helped him to look for new work. The Reeses are very modest about the support they provided Chris. "We were here to give Chris some stability", said Colin, "Somewhere he can fall back on."

"The Rees were fantastic", said Chris. "They were people I could connect with and have made me realise I could have a life like theirs." Chris has now moved into a private sector bedsit, with help from CAYSH's Private Sector Access Scheme, which paid the deposit and provided a loan for the first months’ rent.

Michael came to HAP<25 in June 2004, aged 19. His family had left Croydon to live in Ireland. He didn’t want to go with them but they left anyway and signed off their council flat. Michael was left homeless, sleeping on his ex-girlfriend’s sofa.

Sylvia, a Housing Advice Officer at HAP<25 remembers: "Michael was very nervous when he arrived. He was suffering from depression, paranoia and panic attacks. He was very untrusting of people, but he seemed to trust me. He said he knew that I would help put him in the right direction,"

In their first meeting, the advice officer learnt of Michael’s background and his state of health. He had experienced violence and abuse when he was seven, and been subjected to a sexual assault. Sylvia referred Michael to the psychotherapist– one of many services at HAP<25 which address the wider support needs of young homeless people.

Michael spent several months at a YMCA hostel, staying in touch with HAP<25. The team at HAP<25 found him a shared house, Michael got a job as a security guard, and he is planned to finish his electronics course at college.

"They really sorted me out," said Michael. "The housing advice officer really knew what she was on about and she didn’t let me down. I have a lot of respect for her. What I’ve learnt is there is only one way to go and that’s forward."