I came to live with my dad in Birmingham but it didn’t last and I got kicked out by his girlfriend. I was using the connexions service and they put me in touch with St Basils Link. I was referred to a hostel called Harambee House it is not a St Basils place but it was quite nice and friendly like a home. I stayed in another hostel as well and that was full of dodgy people. I was waiting for a place at St Basils Gillott Road property but that was undergoing refurbishment.
It was worth the wait, I was glad I had my own little flat at Gillot Road. I got involved with opportunities at St Basils. I did the mentoring course and also Professional Futures. I am doing the level 2 qualification in Mentoring, a course provided by Bourneville College and delivered at St Basils Milner Court project. I also passed my Life Skills Course and gained a qualification and vouchers for £150 at the end of it to help with furniture etc. For my future I would like to be a mentor in schools and youth clubs.
At the project my Key worker was really helpful she helped me with things like bus routes and HB forms which are really complicated. My tests in life were at Gillott where I messed up with Housing Benefit. I can handle things now, you just have to balance things out and not take on too many things that you can’t handle. I learned to save quite a bit by keeping back a little saving a small amount a month which mounts up over a time. I would never use a credit card. I have had my own bank account since I was 14. I use pay as I go for my phone.
My key worker told me about Trinity Court and what the criteria was. It was for people who are working and either not on housing benefit or on very low housing benefit. I am in work at restaurant in Birmingham city. So I applied for the apartment and waited to hear.
When they told me I had got the place it was ‘Wow’. I had the conditional offer. I had never lived on my own before. I thought I had messed the questions in the interview.
I feel settled it feels like home. I chose the first apartment I saw and moved in.
Once I moved in I liked it straightaway. It’s got a big kitchen and a small living room but it is nice. It has fridge freezer and cooker and washing machines installed by St Basils.
I still need a settee but that is bottom of the list. I’ve got my bed and that’s the most important thing.
My mom has been over to see me and my family are really proud of me.
I always though it would be great to be offered a brand new place but this is my first real offer, a proper home, I am so lucky.
