My Story

I'm joining compassionate people from across the North for an unforgettable night beneath an enchanted sky. I will be sleeping out in Lilidorei, at The Alnwick Garden, raising funds for people facing adverse poverty and homelessness in the Northumberland area.

Thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and your commitment to making the world a better place for everyone.

My story 💜

I recently got asked to join team Barnabas safe and Sound and to take part in the CEO Sleepout to raise awareness of homelessness in Northumberland. Not many people know this but when I was 16 I was homeless and was supported by this amazing charity. They reached out and asked if I would speak about my lived experience. I was debating whether to share this as reflecting back it was the hardest time of my life that I just packed away to the back of mind. However last night everyone was so kind and appreciative of hearing my story I have decided to share. Anyways this my story in a brief nut shell 

20 years ago I found myself homeless at the age of 16. My 16 year old self was very head strong and made a lot of unwise decisions that ultimately lead to the breakdown of relationships within my family home. I had actively been taking drugs and drinking alcohol from the age of 13 on a daily basis and couldn't see the detrimental effect this was having on my life. I left school with no qualifications and found myself sofa surfing in places that would ring safeguarding bells looking back now ... This was my life for 6 months. It was then I come into contact with Barnabas safe and sound, supported living for young people homeless in Northumberland. 

I moved into supported living with Barnabas and through there care, compassion and guidance they supported me to look at my life differently. Always believing I was a write off because having no qualifications at 16 was a massive dark cloud above my head. My now older self can look back and see that 16 is just a begining ... But back then I couldn't see that and thought that my life would never amount to anything. 

The Barnabas team supported me to get back into education, helped be developed life skills and supported me to repair my relationships back at home. I eventually ended up returning home to focus on my education. I now work as a qualified mental health nurse across the north east in a range of different settings. I also own my own home and have a beautiful little girl. 

My teenage years were the hardest years of my life, trying to find a place to fit in the world. As I say to most of the people I support each and everyone of us has a back story but it doesn't have to define your future. I honestly believe this incredible charity saved my life as my life could have taken a very different path to the one I am on now.I am so so grateful for the support I received all those years ago because I really do believe that Barnabas save my life