“When I moved in it felt like a breath of fresh air to be safe and feel like a human being again."

I came to Esther Women’s at a very vulnerable point in my life.

At that time I was having to quite literally survive day by day in a tent in the freezing cold and horrible weather. I felt very dehumanised and felt like a ‘no-one’.

Being homeless and rough sleeping makes you feel like no one cares.

When I moved in it felt like a breath of fresh air to be safe and feel like a human being again. I have been offered support with education, training opportunities, mental health support and more, and best of all – a roof over my head. Life looks very positive for me in the future, and I believe that I will succeed because of the support I am receiving from Esther staff.

I was so pleased to have a nice bed to sleep on, my own quiet space and helpful staff around me. I felt elated. Since joining I am getting my confidence back. I’ve started doing voluntary work with horses, and I’m enjoying gardening too.

By having somewhere safe to call home, I am able to focus on rebuilding my life and find the things that bring me joy. I no longer feel so depressed and instead feel hopeful about the future. The dark days are not as frequent now.