At a young age, Naomi put herself into care after fighting with her family and feeling unwanted at home. With the help of Depaul she is now ‘happier than ever’ and has just moved into in her dream home with her two kids.
“There was a lot going on in the family home and just life. I just didn’t really get on with my family, me and my brother argued quite a lot and mainly mam I just clashed with her quite a lot.
“I got in touch with social services myself. I didn’t want to live at home anymore. They were a bit upset and a bit annoyed when I moved out. But it was easier- they didn’t want us there at the time.”
Naomi was referred to our North Tyneside outreach service, providing support for young people who have their own tenancies, tailored to their individual needs.
“Every time I have a problem, I just pick up the phone and whatever support I need they’ve got it. They’ve helped us in loads of different ways- like my emotional state and talking about my feelings. I’ve been put through talking therapies, things like that.
“They also helped us when I was in my first ever house and I had a rodent problem, they managed to get us out of there. From there, I got moved into a two-bedroom flat and I got the support there too.
“Then they were helping us write shopping lists, learn how to cook, budget my finances. It sounds silly but it’s the little things that made a big impact. I learnt a lot. I changed because I knew how to finance myself.”
When Naomi became a mother, Depaul supported her to move to more suitable accommodation and get the support needed to help with her children.
“My house that I’ve got now is my dream home. It’s a three-bedroom house with both my kids and I couldn’t be any prouder. Depaul’s helped us financially, get us grants and make my house a home. I’ve never been happier in a place.
“They’ve helped us a lot with both my kids. They’ve managed to get us things like the cot when I moved in here, they’ve helped us find mother and baby groups, and now getting my oldest one into nursery. I wouldn’t have a clue where to start.
“I can’t say anything I’ve done in my life, isn’t because of Depaul, because it is. They have really impacted us a lot and I can’t just describe one thing that they’ve done because they’ve done a lot.
I’m definitely not the same person I was before I got with Depaul. I’m a lot better off now Depaul’s been in my life.”
