Vicky's Story

Award-winning Resident

I was very nervous about moving into this type of accommodation, I’ve always tried to be independent, and I guess that’s why I have always fallen so hard and eventually lost everything.

Before coming to the house in Wilbury Road, I was temporarily housed in Crawley, and that was far from what anyone could call home. But just over a year ago I moved in to the Friends First house, and I could not believe the opportunities and encouragement provided by the setting and the people.

• Friends First was willing to loan me the fees to enable me to secure a place on a college course.
• I entered a business competition called City Entrepreneur. Nearly every member of staff bought some of my products, and I had access to the facilities I needed to be able to do my college work. I won the competition!
• Friends First arranged for me to receive some counselling to explore the roots of my problems.
• And I took some lessons in playing the piano, swimming and drumming.
  

The staff took an interest in me and the things I enjoyed doing, encouraging me to take them further. But the most valuable aspect of being a resident here is having access to a team of people who are real with me, have boosted my self-esteem and given me confidence in myself. They have provided brilliant support as well as stability, and this has helped me to begin to build trusting relationships, which is a whole new adventure.