A young person takes charge of her pathway as she finds her feet again through supported housing.
After leaving an abusive relationship and being left with nowhere to turn Ash Mars, 25, needed to find a home.
She was put into a council-run hostel temporarily while seeking alternative accommodation. She has since found a flat through a new young people’s accommodation with LiveWest giving her the security she needs.
Our resident, Ash, said: “I was homeless for a year before coming here. I essentially went to the council office and told them I had nowhere to go. There wasn’t any support at the hostel so no staff around to support you.
“I’ve got nothing bad to say about coming to LiveWest supported housing, the staff have been brilliant and always at the end of the phone when I need them. If I have any questions about bills or help paying bills then staff have always been happy to give me a hand.”
After being in supported housing in Bideford in North Devon for a few months, she feels it has made a big difference to her situation and is grateful for the support she has received.
With Hadfield Court in Bideford offering people a stepping stone to independent living it provides young people with the opportunity to move on from supported housing get their own flat.
Ash said: “I feel like moving in here I’ve got the ground running, I had no idea how to set up council tax, gas, electric or anything like that because I’d never done it before but luckily with the support of the staff I managed to get the hang of it.
“Because no matter how much advice or how much people tell you about what it’s like being an adult, it doesn’t come with a guide book at the end of the day. It’s easy to fall behind or get in trouble by simply not being aware of how the world works. So just having that little bit of extra help, it’s invaluable.
“I’m pretty much bothering Rose almost every day of the week almost. I feel like there is a safety net underneath me. If I get a concerned letter I can just call up for example or text and I will have somebody talking to me.”
Looking forwards, Ash would like to go to university and is looking at her options now she is in a more secure and stable with her home.
Ash said: “I couldn’t be more grateful being able to live here. I was saying to a staff member yesterday it’s like the goldilocks band, it’s the perfect amount of having people around, it’s not too much and you don’t feel left alone.”