Streetlife is really proud to share that we have been featured in an article written by the St Martin in the Fields Charity. 

Streetlife facilitates the Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde Frontline Network, which brings frontline workers together to network, share best practice and resources. This collaboration helps build stronger professional relationships, which in turn lead to better outcomes for those receiving support.

The article is an incredibly heartwarming read, led by our very own Steph Jones, a Shelter Duty Worker here at Streetlife. Steph shares the inspiring story of one of our young people, Willow, who attended The Night Shelter looking for help. 

Willow found themselves homeless, living on a friend’s settee, and not knowing how to get the help they needed. By talking with Steph on the phone, Willow gained the confidence to visit the shelter in person and therefore had access to a hot meal, a comfortable bed and showering facilities. 

Housing support

Steph took the time to get to know Willow, learning about their struggles and ambitions for the future. Support began with talking to a Housing Officer who assessed Willow’s current situation. As the process progressed, Steph helped Willow gather bank statements and other information to secure housing. We also supported Willow to apply for their ID.

Streetlife works alongside its young people to identify which local council is responsible for helping them. We also support young people with flat viewings to ensure they will be safe in their accommodation.

Well-being support

Many of the young people who come to us have been suffering in silence for a while, which can take a toll on their mental well-being. As a result, we work closely with them to provide support. Willow was feeling more comfortable as the days went on and found the courage to let us know about their pronouns, which were accurately recorded on our system. 

Willow was struggling mentally, so it was vital that we supported them to get the help they needed from a GP. They spoke with our in-house therapist to work through their trauma and negative thoughts. As the weeks progressed, Willow expressed how much the therapy was helping them.

Our team worked closely with Willow, providing them with small tasks to ensure they did not feel overwhelmed. 

Building confidence 

Alongside gaining housing and well-being support, we focused on helping Willow build confidence. Willow attended The Base and participated in a variety of activities and day trips. 

At Streetlife, we take pride in helping young people acquire the essential skills they need for life. One of the key skills that we encourage is cooking healthy meals. Willow worked alongside other young people to prepare meals at the day centre.

“I could see Willow’s confidence and self-belief improve massively, and it was so nice to see that, with the right support, they can do this.” – Steph, Shelter Duty Worker at Streetlife. 

Looking to the future 

As part of our assessments, we try to understand where our young people want to be in the future. When speaking to Willow, it became clear that they wanted to return to education. We contacted The Platform, which provides support to young people in education, employment and training. 

With their coach from The Platform, Willow was able to enrol on an English and Creative Writing degree at the University of Lancashire, ready to begin in September.

As part of the process, we helped Willow apply for the correct student finance and supported them in finding suitable university accommodation. 

What does this mean for our young people? 

This incredibly heartwarming story highlights the idea that it really does take an entire village for us to support young people. 

Streetlife has an excellent community and we are truly grateful to our community partners who help us to make these young people’s lives better and safer. 

Our Streetlife team work tirelessly to ensure young people feel safe, listened to and valued when they visit our day centre and night shelter. This story is an excellent example of how positive things can be when we all work together. We are extremely proud of Steph for sharing this story and of Willow for everything they have achieved since reaching out to Streetlife. 

You can read more about the support here.