Sanya became homeless at 18 after a bereavement triggered a family breakdown. She lived with relatives for a short period before presenting as homeless to her local council and eventually being referred to Centrepoint where she has received holistic support in a number of areas. Three years later, she is in her own home and recently graduated with a first class honours.
Family tragedy
During the summer following her A-levels, Sanya became homeless after her brother passed away. Not only reeling from the shock of losing her sibling, she was also burdened with the responsibility of their death and the ensuing family breakdown.
“It just got worse from there. On the day of the funeral itself, I was told that I had to leave the house. I was already depressed although I hadn’t had a diagnosis. I had no choice but to leave.”
Presenting as homeless
A week after the funeral, Sanya left the family home and lived with extended family for two days before going to her local authority and eventually getting referred to Centrepoint. She remembers the process of presenting as homeless was long, complicated and difficult to understand. She felt she wasn’t given the right information.
“It was really hard, especially for someone as young as me, They kept turning me away, they said that unless you are actually homeless then we can’t actually help you with anything”
The council asked for proof that she was actually homeless, Sanya was unsure of how to provide this especially when the relationship with her family was strained.
Eight days before she turned 18 she went back to the council, A family member explained to her social worker that Sanya could not go back home and after receiving confirmation, she helped Sanya fill out a homelessness application.
This should have been a happy time for Sanya, she was just about to turn 18 and about to start university. Her adult life was just beginning; instead this was one of her darkest times.
Sanya continued to put one foot in front of the other and carried on, but it was a difficult time for her. Her social worker found her accommodation in a children’s home, but just days later Sanya turned 18 and was told she had to move as she was no longer a child. Sanya was placed in temporary accommodation alone for two weeks before being moved to supported accommodation with Centrepoint.
Sanya moved four times in the space of one month. It was extremely chaotic for her.
“I was just starting university and I was so unsettled.I felt confused and numb. I didn’t know what to do so I just accepted it. I just had to take each day as it came.”
Sanya explains that she was in survival mode during this time and it wasn’t until a year or two down the line that the effects of the displacement and trauma really sunk in.
“It did affect me in the long term. I was in a really bad place. I was in peak depression and I didn’t even recognise myself.”
“I wasn’t given the correct information from the housing office," she remembers. "I would send emails and make phone calls that would never be returned, I wasn’t told that if I stayed in the temporary accommodation I would have been housed sooner, but because they moved me to Centrepoint, it took longer. I’m not complaining as Centrepoint have really helped me, but it would have been helpful to have all the information I needed rather than just be passed around and ignored.”
Support from Centrepoint
Centrepoint were able to provide Sanya with support during this time and her key worker Keighley referred her to one of Centrepoint’s dedicated psychotherapists, Shifaa.
“She’s been a listening ear for me, I’ve never had anyone who has listened to me my whole life really, so she’s been really helpful just by listening to me really”
At Centrepoint, she received financial advice and was guided through what bursaries she could apply for, not only that, Centrepoint provided her with a safe space to ask questions free of judgement.
“It wasn’t daunting to ask the staff questions, they explained things properly and were always calm and non-judgemental. Knowing there was a support system downstairs to go to if I needed it was reassuring.”
Despite everything that she had been through, Sanya still managed to keep attendance up at university whilst also managing two part time jobs.
Raising her voice
After Sanya had been at the service for just over a year, she was given the opportunity to speak about her experiences and the issues surrounding homelessness. She was part of the panel at our Youth Homelessness Conference and even spoke with our policy team at parliament. She says that this was an invaluable experience for her and one that brought some relief, knowing that others had been through similar experiences.
“Having my voice heard and them hearing my story was powerful," she says, "Also, meeting other people who had been impacted as well, helped me to know that I wasn’t alone in being let down by services that are supposed to be there to support vulnerable people.”
Moving towards independence
Shifaa and her support worker Keighley have really helped Sanya find her feet and also helped her to secure her own place which Sanya has recently moved to.
Sanya says she is happy and grateful to be in her own place, but it can be lonely.
“It’s difficult when you don’t have a support system. I am getting used to being on my own, although it is peaceful.”
Sanya has been supported by the Centrepoint Bursary throughout her degree in health and social care and is currently doing a work placement in one of our services. She is due to graduate this year.
“The bursary has really made a difference,” she says. “Without it, I would have really struggled to pay for travel to attend university. It also helped me buy things like books that were essential for my course.”
Sanya has recently graduated with a First Class Honours in Working with Children and Young People. Her graduation day is on her 21st birthday which will be a much happier birthday than her 18th.
We’re incredibly proud of Sanya and wish her all the best for her future.
