Emma, 17, came to Centrepoint after experiencing a breakdown in the relationship with her mum, which meant she had to leave the family home. She began sofa surfing, moving between family and friends, and occasionally spending nights on buses. Her social worker became aware of her living situation and made a referral to Centrepoint and soon she was moved into her own flat within a supported home. Despite only being at the home for a few weeks, Emma has settled in well to her new space is already taking strides towards finding a job and becoming independent in the future.
Journey to Centrepoint
Emma, 17, spent her first Christmas with Centrepoint last year, after moving into her new home the week before. After experiencing some challenges in the relationship with her mum, she was kicked out of her home and began sofa surfing with friends and family. However, after she was unable to stay with them any longer, she would spend nights on buses as her only alternative.
When she told her social worker about her living situation, she tried to find places where Emma could move to, however because of her age, many supported homes were unable to take her in as they couldn’t house anyone under 18. After looking at the different options available to her, Emma’s social worker told her about Centrepoint and that it might be a suitable home for her to move into. She didn’t want to get Emma’s hopes up, as she didn’t know if there would be space to house her, but together they made the application.
“My mum kicked me out like a year ago and then I was staying with friends and family and then back with friends. Then I was homeless for a bit, staying on buses and stuff. My social worker tried to help me, but because I as 17, it was hard to get a place in a house.”
“They then said there was only one other option they had which was for Centrepoint, but she said it might not happen, but then it did and I’m so happy that it did.”
After making the referral, Emma was quickly accepted and moved into her own flat in a Centrepoint home, where, despite only living there for a few weeks, has settled in well to her new space.
Luckily, when she moved in, she realised that she recognised a couple of people within the home from around the area, which has helped her to develop a real community around her and create some new friendships.
“It’s been like 3 weeks now. I really like the people, and I knew a couple of people from outside of here, but I didn’t know they lived here, so it’s good to see familiar faces and my neighbours are really nice as well”.
When Emma joined Centrepoint, she was partnered with Celina as her key worker, to help her to settle in, further her independent living skills and identify where Emma could benefit from additional support from different teams, such as with jobs and education. They’ve developed a close bond in a short period of time, and Emma has appreciated Celina looking out for her and giving her guidance.
“When I come in and out, I see all the staff and Celina, my key worker, is very nice and she’s really funny as well. She always asks me if I need any help or anything like that.”
Enjoying the festive season
After moving into her new home the week before Christmas, Emma took up every opportunity to celebrate with her neighbours and the staff members over the festive period. That same week, her support team held a Christmas party for all residents where everyone celebrated with music, board games and a home cooked festive feast.
“We had a Christmas party here just before Christmas and that was really nice. It was in the living room here and we were playing games and there was food. Lots of people came down and we were all socialising. I brought my Monopoly down and it was all really fun.”
Whilst at the party, each young person received a gift from the support staff and from The Card Factory Foundation, who gave them all a voucher to buy their own gifts. Emma liked being able to pick something that she wanted for her flat and put it towards some new bed sheets and a few sweet treats to help her space feel a bit cosier.
“I got some perfume and some sprays and creams and loads of stuff. And then I got a voucher as well. I used it to get some new bedding and some nice snacks, which was so nice. They feel so good especially when you just come out of the shower or brand-new clothes in the new bed, it’s really good.”
“It’s nice to be able to pick, then it’s not like you have only one option to spend it on. You can basically choose what you want to.”
The festive cheer could be felt through the whole home, with lots of decorations and sweet treats on offer throughout the month, which made a real positive difference to everyone living there.
“There were loads of decorations and on the desk, there were chocolates. Even when I come through the door, one of the nighttime staff, even after New Year’s, every time I would walk through, they would wish me a Happy New Year.”
Emma and her neighbour even bought each other gifts, despite not having spoken at all in the time that she had been there. However, they were thinking about each other during Christmas and made sure to take a moment to get each other something, which has now helped to cement their friendship.
“My neighbour got me a gift and I got her a gift. I put some money in a card for her and she got me a box of chocolates. It was literally the first time we even saw each other! I saw her coming out of her room with her bags, so I asked if she needed help and then she said I have something for you and then she gave me a Christmas gift and I helped her down to her cab. Then from there we’ve just become friends.”
On Christmas day, Emma visited her sister’s house, where she enjoyed a day celebrating with her and her children. However, now that she has her own space, she was grateful to be able to come back to her flat and take in the peace and quiet after a busy day.
“Then on actual Christmas, I was at my sister’s house which was nice. I woke up here and then went there for the day and then came back. Now that I have my own room and space, I prefer being there. Especially because my sister has six kids so it’s quite loud a lot of the time. It was nice to come back here and listen to music and chill in my own bed with nobody shouting or screaming!”
After not knowing that to expect from her first Christmas with Centrepoint, being able to celebrate altogether and get some gifts from the staff, partners and her neighbour helped to make the time feel special and important.
“Staying here over Christmas and the gift that I got was really thoughtful and nice.”
Getting into work
Emma has shown her determination in wanting to get a job and take steps towards independence, thinking about what she wants to do next and how she can get there. Despite being new to Centrepoint, she has taken up every opportunity she can to try and find a job that she wants and gain experience to reach her goals.
She has been trying to get a job in retail, so that she can gain valuable experience for her CV and help her in the future to move into any job she wants to. However, she has been finding it hard to secure a role, with her age being a major contributor. She hasn’t let this deter her, and whilst she continues to apply for jobs, she is beginning a course with Centrepoint, so that she can take this time to learn and develop skills that will help her step into any position.
“I’m looking for a job in retail, and right now I’m just applying anywhere, whenever anything comes up because it’s so hard getting a job. I’ve been looking for ages. And I think my age plays a bit part because I’m 17, I think it’s harder for me.”
“I’m starting a customer service course with Centrepoint in six weeks so I’m going to wait for then and then do something that I actually want to do. It’s good because I get work experience from that as well and I want to add that to my CV.”
Emma has a clear idea of where she wants to be in her future, and what she is interested in doing, having recently become interested in being a postwoman or delivery driver. She knows she needs to wait until she’s 18 to take on these jobs but is making sure to keep an eye out for anything that comes up so that she can apply and gain all the right skills she needs.
“Hopefully I can do retail, but my top two jobs at the moment, which I’m actually looking for are, I want to be a Royal Mail postwoman, you know like the one with the trolley or a delivery driver because I have my bike so that’s like a good start but even then I have to be 18 so I have to wait.”
Once she has gained some experience and grown her savings, her dream goal is to run her own business and become her own boss. Although she hasn’t had the idea she wants to kick start her future as a businesswoman, she knows that something will spark her inspiration and help her to reach her dreams.
“I want to get a job and then hopefully I want to start my own business – I don’t know what yet but I just wanna get a job to have experience and then make a bit of money before I start my own business.”
Emma’s drive and tenacity to reach her goals is truly inspirational and we look forward to hearing all about her future business plans!
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