After mum died, my twin sister Stacy and I were split up because of her learning difficulties and deafness. She was taken into care and I left school without any qualifications.
I spent the winter moving between friends' sofas, bed-and-breakfasts and homeless units in Blackpool.
It was horrible, lonely and I didn't know what I was going to do. I was heading towards a life of drinking and taking drugs and I was afraid.
But I was persuaded to start at college and within a few weeks I volunteered for the Voltage project run by Lancaster University Volunteering Unit.
I now help out at a local school for children with disabilities and am studying to be a full-time teaching assistant. I also have my own place to live. I think my mum would be really proud.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
