One night outside could help prevent young people like Juliet from having to sleep out, every single night. By braving a cold night outside, you can change the lives of young homeless people.
This is Juliet’s story.
“My mom and dad split up when I was 5 years old. I didn’t get on with my mum and would have chosen to live with my dad permanently if I could. I ended up going back and forth, living with my mom for a while then back with my dad. He became homeless and I stayed with him in B&Bs for a while until he moved in with his sister and her family. There wasn’t space for me there so I had to move back in with my mom until I left school.
My relationship with my mom became really bad and we had terrible arguments every day. I had to get away. My step-sister said I could sleep on her sofa for a while but there was no room in her house so I had to leave. I travelled around and stayed overnight with friends in different towns, which meant I struggled to attend my college course and eventually dropped out.
I was embarrassed to tell people about my situation but my best friend could see I needed help and suggested I phoned YMCA Cornwall. After meeting with the housing team I moved into a room the next week, then I was the first person to move into one of their brand new flats!
My support worker helped me to plan a daily routine, take on adult responsibilities, budget for bills and food, apply for jobs and go for walks outdoors and be active. I’m looking into doing a childcare course at college. Living at the YMCA is a fresh start for me, a new leaf. It’s a wake-up call to sort myself out. I feel responsible for my own life and I’ll never get into that situation again.’
Juliet has now successfully moved out of YMCA Cornwall into private rented accommodation.
Sign up to SleepOut today and you’ll be helping young people like Juliet towards a brighter future