At 16 I gave birth to our beautiful baby Ethan.  We were living with my partner Jack’s parents at the time.  However, 6 days after Ethan’s birth we had to leave because we weren’t safe there. 

 

It was the council who put us in touch with Key to get help with sourcing supported housing.  We stayed at my gran’s house and in emergency accommodation which was a local hotel.  Key provided us with a free sim card, this became a lifeline as it allowed us to keep in contact with various agencies.  By this time social services were involved in our lives too, it was so scary, and Key really supported us during this time. 

 

By the time Ethan was 6 weeks old we had managed to secure a flat in Preston.  However, soon after moving in Ethan became poorly, I noticed a small patch on his skin and took him to the hospital.  The hospital said it was bruise and we were reported to social services.  What followed was a 2-year battle, one that was finally settled out of court last month and we are on a child in need plan.  During this time, we lost the flat in Preston and I ended up in a mother and baby unit. 

 

Key continued to be there for us during this time and helped Jack to get onto selectmove and find us another property.  They provided food vouchers, gas and electric vouchers which allowed us to get back on our feet.  We were helped with budgeting and issues with our tenancy.  Our neighbours have been causing anti-social behaviour and we have had mould in the property.  Key supported us by helping us to write letters to the landlord to tackle the issues.  I was also offered counselling which has helped me deal with past traumas.

 

What I would say overall about the help we have received from Key is that we were treated like human beings with compassion, which hasn’t been our experience with other services. We have reconnected with some family members and Jack is working, Ethan is in nursery, and we are feeling optimistic about our future.

 

(Since giving us her story the family have secured a 2 bedroom property and Belle is now in employment)