I was brought up in Hounslow and lived with my mother, step-father and younger siblings. From a young age I witnessed my mother continuously exposed to domestic violence and I was also subjected to violence from my step-father.

Home life was increasingly unbearable so I left home and sofa-surfed with various acquaintances including an ex-partner who was physically violent. My ex-partner broke my nose and I was treated in hospital but I claimed to be injured during a football match so I would not get hurt again or involve the police.

I have learning difficulties and the knock on effects of witnessing and suffering domestic violence had left me with low self esteem and I didn’t feel strong enough to do basic tasks without support. I was bullied throughout my life and was worried about reprisal by my step-father so I was unwilling to return to Hounslow. New Horizons Youth Centre (NHYC) managed to secure me a two night stay with a host family via Depaul Night Stop in Greenwich and later on I stayed at St Marylebone Project in Westminster.

So many places need a borough connection and this can complicate issues as I don’t want to go back to my borough, however, through NHYC I have just accessed a project called the Safe Start Foyer in Barnet which helps me with my life skills and confidence and working with both services I have developed confidence, secured supportive accommodation, gained life skills, become single and happy and looking forward to accessing a longer term hostel in Islington.