Jess's Story

Jess became homeless at just 16 years old.  

“Everything was such a mess. The arguments at home got really, really bad.  My mum didn’t understand why I shut myself away, why I was so low; she told me to sort myself out or leave.  She only cared about going out. I knew if I was ever going to get better I had to escape, but I didn’t know where to turn.

“I’d come out of college and I’d have nowhere to go. I’d sit in the park and text all my friends and ask if I could sleep at their houses or on their sofas.  Sometimes they said no.  I was so scared.”  

“I felt really depressed. My self-harming got worse and I hit a really, really low point. I didn’t see a way out.  It was a position I never thought I’d been in and it was a really scary time. I felt so lonely.”

Desperate and not knowing what else to do, Jess plucked up the courage to ask for help at the Council, and was put in touch with Alabaré.

“Alabaré helped me open up about my mental health and see life in a much more positive way.”

“I’ve been able to get my first part-time job and have managed to save enough to start renting my own flat.”

Jess now has somewhere safe to call home and a bright future once more.