Forfutures aims to prevent homelessness and work with anyone at risk to plan a way forward that enables them to turn their situation around

Gemma*, 18, was referred to forfutures after being made homeless following an argument with her parents in which she was asked to leave her family home in Chester. She was very upset and feeling overwhelmed by the challenges she was facing of finding somewhere to stay. As a full time student, she had no option of any benefits, and, after her boyfriend’s parents became unhappy with her staying with them, she ended up spending a few nights on the streets sleeping in an entry. Forfutures Support Worker Berni worked with Gemma* to find a room in a shared house and put her in touch with the local foodbank so she could eat. However, Gemma* was working just to pay the rent, and had no money left for anything else. The pressure of working nights and attending college in the daytime took its toll and she ended up in hospital.

Following encouragement and support from Berni, she realised that she couldn’t continue living in this way and Gemma* got back in touch with her family who immediately came to pick her up and take her home. She is now back to full health and at university in Wales.

Support Worker Berni said: “Forfutures aims to prevent homelessness and work with anyone at risk to plan a way forward that enables them to turn their situation around. I’m delighted that we could help Gemma* to rebuild her relationship with her parents and reach a point where she could move back home and away from the hardship she was experiencing. I am sure that her determination and focus will mean that she is successful in all that she does in the future.”

Gemma* name has been changed