Real stories

Kai, 29, has been working with and being supported by Centrepoint on and off since he turned 18 and was moved into an Independent Living Property. He is currently a member of Centrepoint’s Lived Experience Advisory Board (LEAB) and is now living in his own flat, working full-time in security with a passion for all things Pokémon Go and ice hockey. He's taken the time recently to reflect on his journey and share some of his experiences to, with and beyond Centrepoint.

Cameron, 23, first came to Centrepoint at 17 following a breakdown in the relationship with his family. After being supported on and off by his key work team, he is now living independently in his own flat, working as a chef and studying at culinary college. He was recognised for his drive and determination in 2021, when he won the Centrepoint Career and Progression Award.

Aryan called the Centrepoint Helpline after he had begun rough sleeping when he was no longer able to stay in the family home. He reached out to the local council for support, but was told by them that he was not a priority. Not knowing where else to turn, he called the Centrepoint Helpline who were able to refer him to a local support centre.

Adam, 20, had to leave his family home due to a breakdown in the relationship with his parents as a teenager, and after finding it hard to get appropriate housing, moved into an unsuitable and unstable flat with a friend. After he was no longer able to stay there, he began sofa surfing and eventually confided in a colleague who helped him into Centrepoint's Independent Living Programme. Adam is now thriving in his marketing role and is a devoted member of Centrepoint's Lived Experience Advisory Board (LEAB).

Naihum, 27, moved into a Centrepoint Independent Living Property when he found on his teacher's salary that he couldn't find anywhere suitable for him to move to. A family friend had heard about the programme and he quickly made an application which was accepted and before long he moved into his new home. After living in his flat for a few years, he feels he has had the space he needed to develop independent living skills he can take with him when he's ready to move on.

Morgan, 27, first came to Centrepoint after he was unable to stay at university due to his neurodivergence, resulting in a breakdown in family relationships. After sofa surfing and sleeping rough, he was referred to Centrepoint where he stayed in a supported home for a few years, getting the opportunity to grow his interest in taking co-design approaches and working collaboratively with different teams. He is currently a member of the Lived Experience Advisory Board (LEAB) and has a dream of one day working for Centrepoint and giving back to the organisation that supported him.

Katelin, 23, has recently started in her dream role as a midwife, which she has been working towards since the COVID lockdowns. After leaving her family home at 17 following a breakdown in the relationship, she moved into a hostel, where she created her five year plan. She then moved into a Centrepoint Independent Living home where she could make her dreams a reality.

Harry, 21, arrived in the UK after leaving Sudan as a refugee. After receiving his refugee status, he was forced to leave his hotel, meaning that he had to rough sleep. He was met and supported by the Rough Sleepers and Complex Case team who got him into emergency accommodation. He's now moved into an independent home and is studying ESOL - with dreams of becoming a web designer in the future.

Danny, 19, arrived in the UK as an unaccompanied asylum-seeking minor in 2024 after leaving his home country of Sudan. After being placed in foster care until the age of 18, he was moved into a Centrepoint supported home, where he has been living for just under a year. He's now in college studying for his ESOL and functional skills qualifications and dreams of pursuing his passion for carpentry in the future.

Mustafa, 22, came to the UK under humanitarian protection in 2021 and was moved into care. When he turned 18, he had to leave his home and struggled to find accommodation through the council. He reached out to the Centrepoint Helpline, explained his situation and after a few months was moved into a Centrepoint supported home. Since then, he has been attending college and is beginning to look for jobs to support him as he begins to move into a home of this own.

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.

Miguel, 20, first arrived in the UK during 2020 at the age of 15 as an unaccompanied minor and was placed into care, where he stayed until he was 18. At 18 he moved into a Centrepoint supported home where he has been working closely with the psychotherapist and jobs and education team to get the right support he needs to live independently. He's now getting ready to move into his new home in the coming weeks and is looking forward to having a space of his own.