“She just needed someone in her corner”: Samalie on supporting Susan, a young person in need, and her host Joanne through Depaul UK’s Supported Lodgings.
By Samalie Musisi, Supported Lodgings Coordinator, Depaul UK
When I first met Susan, she was quiet, withdrawn, and understandably guarded. At 18, she was dealing with a huge amount of loss—grieving the recent death of both her parents and trying to come to terms with dropping out of university. On paper, she was referred to us as “at risk of homelessness,” but let me tell you, that label doesn’t capture the whole story. Behind that label was a young woman who had lost her way and was trying to figure out what came next. It wasn’t just about a roof over her head—it was about rebuilding trust, rebuilding herself. What Susan needed more than anything at that moment was someone in her corner, rooting for her, believing she could get back on track—and that’s exactly what I was there to do.
My name is Samalie, and I’m a Supported Lodgings Coordinator at Depaul UK, working closely with young people aged 16–25 who are at risk of homelessness—often due to family breakdown, bereavement, or a lack of stable, supportive environments. I link young people with hosts in the community, and we work together to rebuild their confidence, develop life skills, and guide them towards independence at their own pace.
Young people like Susan often fall through the cracks—too vulnerable to live independently, but they need a consistent, caring presence and a space that feels like home.
Supported Lodgings is not a one-size-fits-all approach—it’s about seeing the whole person and responding with care, flexibility, and empathy.
When I matched Susan with host Joanne, who’d worked as a foster carer for years, I knew it could be the beginning of something stable. Joanne doesn’t try to take over—she doesn’t try to play mum—but she had this incredible balance of kindness and firmness. Exactly what Susan needed.
From day one, Joanne and I worked hand-in-hand to support Susan in a way that felt real and steady. Joanne offered the safe, stable home Susan needed — a place where she could finally exhale. I focused on the day-to-day encouragement: helping her rebuild her confidence, guiding her through the steps to start her course, and reminding her that a different future was possible.
In the beginning, Susan wasn’t engaging much. She wasn’t studying or working. Her confidence was low, and she doubted her own ability to move forward. But we saw the potential in her straight away. She’s naturally resilient—always polite, always with a smile, even on the tough days. We gave her space, but we stayed consistent. We were always there.
Over time, we started seeing shifts. Joanne would sit with her and show her how to cook, plan meals, and budget. I supported her with goal setting and talked through different options for college. Slowly, Susan started believing that maybe, just maybe, she could try again.
I’ll never forget the day she enrolled in a hospitality course. She was so nervous about the entrance assessment she almost didn’t go. I called her that morning and said, “You’ve got this. Just get there—we’ll be proud no matter what.” She made it through the door, and that day became the turning point.
Over the next year, myself and Joanne watched Susan come back to life. She started making friends. She began to plan for the future. She came to meetings excited to tell me what she’d learned in class. Joanne and I worked as a team to make sure she stayed on track, but Susan did the heavy lifting. She put in the work.
And now, she’s just finished college, is actively job-hunting. She’s hoping to find something in hospitality—she’s got a real heart for working with people. She’s in such a different place now. She’s confident, motivated, and full of hope. It’s honestly one of the most rewarding transformations I’ve seen in my work.
“It’s life-changing—for all of us”
Supported Lodgings is a lifeline for young people at risk of homelessness—but it’s not without its challenges. The heart of the model is a carefully built relationship between a young person and their host, who offers not just a room, but emotional support, structure, and a sense of safety. But sourcing and retaining hosts is an ongoing struggle. The cost-of-living crisis, lack of public awareness, and limited financial incentives make it tough to recruit new hosts, even as demand for placements rises.
The young people referred to our service often come with complex needs—experiences of trauma, disrupted education, or time spent in care or temporary accommodation. Balancing those needs with a safe, stable home environment requires ongoing support, supervision, and flexibility. Depaul UK’s team works tirelessly to provide wraparound care, but we face challenges with tight budgets, staff capacity, and a lack of suitable move-on options once placements end.
When I think back to my early work supporting young people in accommodation, I remember how we used to move them straight into their own flats. Yes, it was cheaper, but honestly, it was a lot for an 18-year-old. Imagine: “Here’s your flat. You’re on your own.” No preparation. No support. That’s the difference with Supported Lodgings. We make sure young people aren’t alone to start with. They’re gradually practising what it’s like to manage their own space. They learn to manage a budget, and take on daily responsibilities—like cooking, doing laundry, and more—things many of them have never had the chance to do before. It’s shocking, but it’s the reality.
Before a young person even moves in with their host, we make sure the host knows if they’ve never cooked before or need extra help with budgeting. This way, when they’re ready for their own place, they’ve already gained essential skills. It’s all about building confidence, and our hosts play a huge role in this. They’re not just offering a roof—they’re teaching young people life skills and providing ongoing support, whether it’s finding a course or just being there to listen.
Susan still has a way to go. The job market isn’t easy. But she’s standing on her own two feet now, with the kind of self-belief that can’t be taught—it’s earned. And I couldn’t be more proud of her.
Supported Lodgings has the power to be life-changing—not just for the young person, but for the community around them. With the right support, a safe home, and a stable relationship, a young person can rebuild their confidence, pursue education or employment, and take steps toward independence. It’s a simple model with a profound impact—and with more investment and awareness, it could change even more lives.
