"I was given so much that I'm grateful for..."
Isabella (aged 24) received support from The Benjamin Foundation via their Tenancy Transition Service which extends the ladder of support provided, enabling young people to make the transition and sustain their upward progress towards fully independent living.
“I was put in contact with The Benjamin foundation through my support network at MAP shortly before I moved into my home,” says Isabella.
“Being my first home, I moved in with literally just my clothes, few personal belongings and stuff for my pets. Without The Benjamin Foundation I wouldn’t have moved in the first place, helping me with the first thing I needed which was my first weeks rent. It was a struggle for a good few weeks not having the essential appliances. I luckily found a cooker online for free but was still only able to cook basic and not the healthiest of meals not having access to a fridge. I think I had been here 6-8 weeks when my I got my white goods vouchers. In that time The Benjamin Foundation had helped with a food bank voucher, vouchers for a table and draws for my clothes, and with their help getting me an Argos voucher I’m now able to sleep in a bed for the first time in almost 6 years! I’d always been making do and just living in survival mode but with their help it truly feels like I’m actually living.”
“With the transition period…it was a lot. I was second guessing myself, not sure if I could be out in the world on my own, always stressing about stuff I needed or if I could afford to keep my pets who are my everything and have been my little lifelines over the years. With the support networks I’d set myself up with, leading up to, during and after the move I’m now in a place I feel safe and that I’m able to call home.”
“I’m not sure how much more support I could have gotten if I’m honest. I was given so much that I’m so grateful for. People to talk too, access to resources I needed, anything I didn’t understand or was getting frustrated with, someone was always a message or call away to help or point me in the right direction.”
The Tenancy Support Service recieves support from Fine & Country and appreciative of their continued positive impact on our work.
