Amy’s housing journey from a hectic home to her own cosy oasis

Amy is a 17-year-old girl, from a family of multiple younger siblings who she helped take care of before a relationship break down with her mum meant she had to move away from her siblings and her pet hamster Rosie. In the first instance she was offered a temporary stay in an accommodation unit. She was really scared in the unit and told her lecturer at college about her experience and how she was feeling unsafe. The staff at NESCol told her about Nightstop and referred her to the Foyer. 

Amy was paired with a Nightstop Host called Emma and stayed with Emma for 5 nights and during that time the local authority and Aberdeen Foyer staff worked together so that she was able to move into the Foyer’s supported accommodation. 

When Amy moved into supported accommodation, she felt scared and struggled initially since she had always had family around her and being by herself took some time to get used to. The Foyer and NESCol staff were able to work together to ensure that she got to know the staff at her accommodation, and this made her feel more comfortable with her development coach. 

Amy’s confidence has grown and she now enjoys spending time chatting to staff and coming along to any sessions that are organised. She now laughs with staff about how nervous she was when she first came.  She is now loving staying on her own and has made her flat look homely. Amy has excelled living by herself, learning to appreciate having her own space, having friends over for lasagne but is looking forward to moving to her own tenancy and getting Rosie back from her friend to care for her dear hamster. She is feeling positive about moving on but admits she will miss the support from staff and will be keeping in touch.