My story - Tiffany

When she was 13 Tiffany’s parents split up. She and her sister lived with her mum and became very close. By the time she was 15, Tiffany‘s mum had a new boyfriend, who moved into their home, making Tiffany feel uneasy and confused about someone replacing her father, and coming between her and her mother. In an attempt to deal with the situation, Tiffany started drinking heavily. She also started truanting from school and staying out all night. After many arguments Tiffany’s mother asked her to leave. She was unable to stay with her dad as he was living in a shared house.

 

Tiffany turned to Dacorum Borough Council’s Housing Advice Centre who found her a temporary place to stay and referred her to Hightown’s Young People’s Housing Service (YPHS). After an interview, she was offered a room and support at The Berries in Watford when it came available four weeks later.

 

Upon arrival at The Berries the staff helped to sort out her benefits and explore her options regarding education and employment. She continued to drink heavily, so the staff supported her and organised counselling to help Tiffany to deal with the issues with her mum and her drinking problem.

 

In the year that Tiffany lived at The Berries she got her drinking under control, started a college course in hair and beauty and began to rebuild her relationship with her mother.

 

Life continued to improve as Tiffany got engaged to her boyfriend and was offered ‘Move on’ accommodation to help her become more independent whilst still being supported by Hightown staff. When Tiffany found she was pregnant she and her fiancée decided to move to the south coast to be near his parents.

 

After her baby daughter was born, things soon started to go wrong between Tiffany and her partner. Not knowing where to turn she contacted the staff at Hightown’s YPHS for advice. They were able to give her contact details of the local council and explained what Tiffany should do. The council moved Tiffany and her daughter into a local Mother and Baby unit.

 

After being at the unit for over a year she was offered a two bedroom bungalow. Tiffany is still in touch with staff at YPHS giving updates of how she and her daughter, who is now at school, are doing. Tiffany’s relationship with her mother and step father has continued to improve and they come to visit her in her new home.

 

“None of this would have been possible without the support I got from the young peoples’ housing service. I am really grateful for the continued support even after leaving the housing service and cannot thank them enough.”