Tina has been a client of The Welcome Centre on and off for several years due to a chaotic lifestyle and issues with substance misuse. Her turbulent lifestyle meant that Tina had been absent from her daughter’s life for more than 5 years. Over the years, The Welcome Centre has supported Tina with food and basic essentials when she was sanctioned but recently Tina has made significant changes to her life and has been supported through our Advice, Guidance and Support service.
The Branch in Paddock referred Tina to The Welcome Centre. Her life was in chaos once again. She was fleeing an abusive relationship, which meant she was homeless and had fled without any of her possessions.
Tina initially needed support with food however, after a number of weeks of engaging with Kirklees Housing and Change Grow Live (CGL) for her addictions she was placed in a 1 bedroom unfurnished flat.
The Welcome Centre provided her with a toaster, kettle and microwave so that she could cook for herself as well as a fuel voucher. Tina continued working with CGL and enrolled on a drug reduction programme.
Through our grants programme, we helped Tina furnish her bare flat with a sofa and coffee table. Tina has made huge progress and has now been clean from drugs for more than 5 months. Tina is no longer in touch with her ex-partner and we have provided her with a new SIM card so that he cannot contact her again.
I can see a future ahead of me now. I have applied to college and have started rebuilding my relationship with my daughter. I can’t thank The Welcome Centre enough for both the practical and emotional support I have received.