Aimee's Story

A key part of the Centrepoint strategy to end youth homeless is to support young people into independence. Young people face a multitude of barriers that prevent them from moving on in life. With your support, Centrepoint can create brighter futures for young people who are experiencing and at risk of homelessness.

By taking part in Sleep Out, you can support young people like Aimee, who became homeless following a family breakdown. It was winter and bitterly cold. The landlady at her local pub let her stay there for the night whilst she found somewhere else. Aimee suffers from Cerebral Palsy which affects her mobility, but she does not allow her disability to define her.

Following the family breakdown, Aimee was referred to an emergency hostel but it was inappropriate for her needs. It was up a number of flights of stairs and she was placed with vulnerable adults. She was there for three weeks and it had a detrimental impact on her health.

“I suffer from seizures,” says Aimee. “During my time at that hostel, I had multiple seizures brought on by the extra stress I was under. It was not a good place for me.”

When Aimee was referred to Centrepoint, we were able to offer her a self-contained flat that was safe, secure and close to her best friend and carer. In addition, Aimee’s key worker Jay helped Aimee to ring medical professionals and occupational therapists to help her live independently.

“I’d never lived on my own before so I never had responsibility of bills or shopping. It was a shock to the system, but Jay was there to support me, give me guidance and help me to build those independent living skills.”

With support from Jay, Aimee has found a ground floor flat so that she can move on into a permanent place that is well set up for her needs.

"I’m so excited to move into my own place" she says, “It's on the ground floor in a nice neighbourhood and it has a garden and a patio! They allow pets so I’ll be able to get my dog back and I can decorate it how I like it. Now I’ve finished college, I’m upping my hours at work and it’s really close to the youth club so it’s just brilliant.”

Aimee is a passionate writer and rapper. Because of her disability, she couldn’t go out and play like the other children so she would spend her time writing. It gave her a creative outlet where she could express her opinions. Now, Aimee works part time at a youth club where she helps vulnerable young people write lyrics and perform. She has finished college where she was studying business and law and hopes to go to University to train to be a solicitor.

Aimee hopes that her music will go from strength to strength and that she continues to perform and support vulnerable young people. Since coming to Centrepoint, we’ve supported Aimee with suitable living support as well as guidance and career advice. With your help, we can reach more young people like Aimee and assist them on their journey to independence. Giving young people the necessities they need to live independently is essential to breaking the cycle of youth homelessness.

Centrepoint is committed to ending youth homelessness for good. An important part of our mission is to help young people become independent. You can help support a young person like Carrie become independent by signing up to Sleep Out.