Florence’s story
I’ve lived in Newham for a long time, and when I was working full-time, I had my own little flat. It was small but it was mine, and it had everything I needed.
When I lost my job during COVID, I got a new one with fewer hours, so I had to move into a flat with lower rent. It was in terrible condition. I was sharing with four other people, and there was no living room – we were really overcrowded in there.
I joined a renter’s union and reported the bad conditions, hoping things would get better. One day, I came home after work to find that the landlord had heard about my complaint, and poured oil all over my bedroom door. I got really scared, unsure what they might do to me.
I didn’t feel safe so I packed my things and left, with nowhere to go. I sat in the cold outside from 8am to 10pm, with no idea what to do. I’d ride the bus all night, up and down the same route. It was so uncomfortable but it was safer than sleeping outside. I managed to secure temporary accommodation, but it wasn’t much better. It was tiny, dirty, and I was sharing with another woman. We didn’t get on, and when she threatened me, I had to leave again.
"My experience of homelessness was isolating and lonely, but at Your Place, people wanted to understand me and help me rebuild."
Coming to Your Place was the fresh start I needed. I was warm, I had my own space, and I was getting to know other people. My experience of homelessness was isolating and lonely, but at Your Place, people wanted to understand me and help me rebuild.
I’ve had lots of help so I can better support myself. As well as helping me look for work and new accommodation, there were lots of extras that I didn’t expect, like women’s activities and trips to the local yoga studio, which were so relaxing. It’s the little things that bring your confidence back up. Your Place really want to help, and you can share your problems with all the different people working there, and they do their best to help you through it.
I’m now in my own flat again, and it’s given me the space to think about what I really want to do in life. I used to work in a restaurant kitchen, and I’d love to do that again – cooking is an important part of my culture and I know I’m good at it. Now that my confidence is back, I can plan for the future and I always want to keep learning and growing.
