Katie’s childhood family unit broke down due to problems around poor mental health and substance misuse. She was asked to leave the family home and she became homeless.

Katie suffered from a number of mental health issues: emotional personality disorder, learning difficulties, bipolar disorder, and she struggled to regulate her emotions, which would often lead her to become distressed.

Katie moved into one of our specialist accommodations and she engaged well. However, struggling with the lack of suitable, affordable housing, she was faced with constant rejection due to not having a guarantor or previous rental history. This frustrated Katie, and she often became angry, often taking it out on the staff team as she struggled to verbalise her frustrations.

Katie was referred for specialist support to build her self-confidence and work on strategies that would support her. Katie explained that she used to use exercise as a form of release when she was stressed, so her support worker helped Katie to research local gyms, and she found one that she signed up to.

Following the referrals into specialist services and spending time at the gym and other activities within the community, Katie’s self-confidence blossomed. Katie was supported to source and secure a private rented flat. She was guided through the move-in process and helped to access grants for furniture.

Ten months later, Katie is still residing in her flat. She has a full-time job as an Activities Co-ordinator in a care home, something which she is thrilled about as she has always wanted to do this type of work. Katie also now has a new housemate—her dog Charlie—who is now living with her!

Katie is loving her new life; she is settled and feels at home in her accommodation. She visits

the gym regularly and has also rekindled positive relationships with her family, whom she now

visits on a regular basis. Katie states that she now feels much more in control of her life and

is excited about what the future holds.