When Paris arrived at YMCA housing in Dudley, she had been sofa surfing for around four months after relationships with her family broke down. Growing up, Paris experienced a difficult and unsettled family life. Following her parents’ separation, she and her sister remained with their mother while her father moved through a series of short-term relationships. As she got older, tensions at home increased and her relationship with her mother deteriorated, eventually leading Paris to move in with her grandmother. However, this arrangement was short-lived and, with few options available, Paris found herself staying with different friends and spending much of her time partying.
At 19 years old, Paris was struggling with drug use, debt and her mental health. She had accumulated around £500 of debt through Klarna and was regularly using cannabis, drinking alcohol and taking MDMA. When she moved into YMCA, she was angry, frustrated and often resistant to support.
Staff recall that Paris initially found it difficult to accept the rules and boundaries of supported accommodation. She would frequently challenge house rules, look for loopholes and occasionally direct her frustrations towards staff. Her cannabis use was also affecting her sleep, leaving her awake through the night and sleeping for much of the day. Despite these challenges, YMCA staff continued to support Paris, building a relationship based on consistency, respect and trust.
Over time, she engaged with a range of support services, including drug and alcohol support, mental health advice, debt guidance, life skills sessions and employment support. Staff worked closely with her to help address the issues that had contributed to her homelessness and to develop the skills needed for independent living.
A turning point came when Paris approached staff and said, “It’s time for me to grow up.” From that moment, her outlook began to change. She started making different choices about the people she spent time with and began focusing on what she wanted for her future. With support from her keyworker, Paris paid off her debts and started saving towards moving into her own home. By the time she was ready to move on, she had cleared all outstanding debt and saved £450 towards her future.
Paris also completed the George Williams Award, worked towards gaining her driving licence and began applying for jobs. One of the biggest changes was her decision to stop using cannabis and cigarettes altogether. As her substance use reduced, her mental health and sleeping patterns improved significantly. Staff also noticed a huge change in her confidence, attitude and relationships with others. She chose to distance herself from negative influences and developed friendships and relationships that supported her goals rather than holding her back.
Reflecting on her time at YMCA, Paris said the best thing about her stay was: “The support I was given and being respected even when I was rude to staff. They listened to me talk about my problems and believed that I could reach my goals. Having a safe place to stay gave me the time I needed to grow as a person.”
Paris has now successfully moved into council accommodation and is continuing to build the independent life she worked so hard to achieve. Her goal is to find employment and no longer rely on Universal Credit, something she is actively working towards.
Creating Safe Spaces for Young People Like Paris
Paris’s story highlights the importance of providing more than just a roof over someone’s head. Having a safe room gave her the stability, time and support she needed to address the challenges she was facing and begin making positive changes in her life.
Through our RoomSponsor campaign, you can help fund safe accommodation and support for young people experiencing homelessness. By donating just £12 a month allows us to provide not only a bedroom, but also the guidance, encouragement and practical support that helps young people develop the confidence and skills needed for independent living.
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