I lived in Centrepoint and my worker had told me that I had to have floating support and it was with SHAID. So we had a meeting with Emma from SHAID she explained everything to me, she told me that she would help me sort out my bills and money and help me with anything else that I needed, I thought that she was really nice. Not long after two women from SHAID came to Centrepoint and told us about the Lifeskills programme they explained about the different units on offer and how it would benefit me and look good on my CV and help me when I got back into work.
That was in 2005 so since then I’ve got lots of certificates for all the units I have done. I got a flat but was beaten up and had to leave I didn’t have anywhere to go so I had to stay at my boyfriends house but I wanted to have my own place. I went to SHAID and told them that I was homeless and I was in between houses. I have really bad psoriasis and depression which didn’t help how I was feeling so I decided to speak to one of the workers at SHAID she was also called Emma. I had a couple of meetings with Emma to discuss the type of accommodation I would like, I told her that that I wanted a Council house so she got in touch with them and I had to go for an interview.
Emma told me that it would probably be a while I before I heard if my application was successful but she would get in touch with me as soon as the Council contacted her. Whilst we were waiting for a decision on my house, Emma helped me with my other problems. Emma kept the pressure on with the council, as she knew my housing situation was really getting me down. Then I finally got a phone call from Derwentside homes and they said they had a house for me, it wasn’t in the area I wanted, but I took it anyway as I was desperate for a home and was really tired of waiting as I been had been on the waiting list for nearly 10 yrs.
I thank SHAID for all they have done for me, I have gained in confidence so much since first coming to SHAID. Even though I no longer have a support worker I am still actively involved with the Lifeskills programme and I am also currently doing my level 1 Literacy and Numeracy and hope to go on to do level 2.
I cant believe how much my life has changed I am now a mother to a beautiful baby boy I have a lovely home and have made some great friends thanks to SHAID.
I am now looking forward to what the future has in store.