Kate is in her twenties. Kate had a history of homelessness since childhood. Her family was dysfunctional and she suffered physical, emotional and sexual abuse at an early age. She left home and was on the streets from the age of 11. In her early teens, she began to use whatever drugs were available to her and by her late teens, was addicted to heroin. For approximately seven years she remained addicted, chaotic and slept on the streets or in emergency hostels. Then, three years ago, she decided to work on detoxing from drugs.

Kate undertook a residential drugs rehab programme lasting two years. She was referred to Daisyhouse following the successful completion of this programme and has remained completely drug-free since. As part of her rehabilitation, she completed a catering course.

When Kate came to Daisyhouse initially, she undertook a support needs assessment. A number of priorities were identified, including: to access specialist counseling to enable her to address the serious physical and sexual abuse she had suffered as a child and as a young adult to continue her personal development work through ongoing attendance at Narcotics Anonymous to attend further training in catering to become a qualified chef and get a job to better manage her money and personal finances to re-build relationships within her family taking into account that she had moved on in her own emotional and intellectual development but that her family could still be a threat to her emotional stability.

An important part of this re-building was her concern for her young nieces. She built up supportive and trusting relationships with these children and was very proud of her links with them and the example she was trying to show them, especially in the areas of keeping away from drugs, and working in school towards achieving a positive future.

During her year with Daisyhouse, Kate made steady progress in addressing all of the above priorities, and engaged sincerely in the difficult work involved. She worked in a variety of part-time jobs in order to upgrade her skills and her CV. She continues to attend counseling and acknowledged that it may take a number of years before she can come to terms with what has happened in her past. Kate continues to attend Narcotics Anonymous and they are a source of strength and support to her. Her family links are restored but remain problematic.

Daisyhouse helped Kate to move on to permanent accommodation with a Local Authority. We will continue to support Kate to ensure that her resettlement is successful and that she does not return to homelessness. Kate will shortly commence a PLC course as a first stage in a university Degree in Social Studies.