KL was homeless when she was referred to our service. At just 20 years old, she had spent a significant part of her childhood in care. As a care leaver, she had begun her journey into adulthood, studying, working and building relationships while developing her independence.
KL was following her passion and had secured her dream job as a dog groomer, which also provided accommodation. However, after a short period, and for reasons beyond her control, she lost her employment and, consequently, her home.
With nowhere else to turn, KL sought support from her boyfriend. His mother found our contact details and got in touch with us on KL’s behalf.
The family explained that KL had previously been in care and had been housed in Leicester, despite her social worker being based in the West Midlands. We arranged for KL to come and meet with us so that we could understand her circumstances and begin working alongside her.
Overcoming the First Barrier
When KL first came to us, she had already begun the process of applying to Leicester City Council for housing support. She had also been advised to consider applying to Melton Borough Council, as this was where her college was located. KL preferred the idea of living in a more rural setting and remaining close to her education.
One of the first barriers we encountered was accessing her Melton housing account. KL had forgotten the memorable information linked to her account and was unsure how to reset it. We initially tried to identify an option to reset her details online, but when this was unsuccessful, we contacted the council directly.
Although this may have seemed like a small barrier, resolving it was an important step in securing KL’s future housing. With support, she was able to reset her details, access her account and submit the required paperwork.
KL was subsequently accepted onto the housing list. The support she received from the council was commendable, and within just six weeks she was offered a permanent home.
For the first time in a long time, KL had somewhere she could truly call home — a safe and secure place from which she could continue to build her future.
Building Confidence and Connections
While KL was waiting to hear about the availability of a home, she continued to engage with a range of group activities through the Together We Can project.
She became involved in our young women’s empowerment group, Together We Thrive, where she took part in activities exploring healthy relationships, goal setting, dreams and aspirations. Through the group, KL was able to develop her confidence, build new relationships and connect with other young women with shared experiences.
She also attended our Big Theatre Trip, where she made new friends and continued to broaden her experiences.
Finding Her Voice and Creating Change
As part of our Power to Change model, KL went on to use her experiences to help influence change for other care leavers.
With our support, she shared her experiences with business members and met with an MP to discuss issues affecting young people leaving care.
KL delivered a talk to Hinckley & Rugby Building Society, sharing her experiences and highlighting some of the challenges care leavers face when accessing banking services and managing money.
She also met with Helen Whately MP to discuss access to work and employment, drawing on her own experiences of transitioning from care into adulthood and the workplace.
KL’s Journey
KL’s journey demonstrates what can be achieved when a young person is given the right support at the right time. From facing homelessness and uncertainty to securing a permanent home, developing new friendships and using her own experiences to advocate for change, KL has shown resilience, determination and a willingness to help others.
Her story is not only about securing a home; it is about creating stability, building confidence and finding her voice.
KL is now in a stronger position to continue her education, pursue her ambitions and build the independent future she deserves.