I finally feel...supported

“The stepping stone I needed in finally getting my own place.”

In her own words, one young person we have supported expresses how thankful she is for our help during the Pandemic:

“I was left needing to find a place during the pandemic… My previous landlords needed my room, due to their own personal circumstances, which was completely understandable. However, I didn’t realise, nor appreciate, how difficult it would be to find a place as a young person, during a global pandemic.

With being a part-time masters student, part-time employed, working on a zero hour contract AND during COVID. I had to persevere for months with calling loads of estate agents and landlords who declined me because of being on furlough in these unprecedented times. The council had nothing to offer me either. I was going between three homes from June till August which was such a struggle.

Being on furlough was difficult to save when it only left me with enough for bills and food/drink, so I definitely would not have been able to move into a place without the help of Michala (Home Starter Development Worker) at The Benjamin Foundation.

As a 23 year old woman, trying my best to better my future, whilst working, doing my postgraduate degree and only having little money leftover, I can definitely understand how tough it is for young people to get started in life and find their own private rentals to call ‘home’… so that money really was life changing and gave me the stepping stone I needed in finally getting my own place.

Honestly… There needs to be more charities like The Benjamin Foundation, that help young people take that extra step in life because otherwise it’s extremely difficult and in some peoples circumstances it’s seemingly impossible to find a place to live. Subsequently, I cannot recommend enough or be more grateful to The Benjamin Foundation and the support they have provided!”