Julie's* story

*A false name has been used to protect the client's identity

Julie has difficulty with reading and writing and was existing on an impossibly low income. Soon she was avoiding her mail and it wasn't long before baliffs were knocking at her door. Eventually she couldn't cope anymore and fled her home. 

Julie travelled hundreds of miles and ended up moving into Barnabas House on Valentines Day. Her family had rejected her and soon after she arrived her father died.  This caused a complete emotional colapse; she became agoraphobic and could barely go through the front door during a fire drill. She reached her lowest point and ended up attempting suicide on three occasions. 

However, over the Christmas period she had a long hard think about her options. All the support and advice that her Key Worker had given her suddenly fell into place. She realised that only SHE could make the changes necessary, it was as though a light suddenly came on.

Since then Julie has started atteding all the activities she has been referred to. She does voluntary work, attends the Lavender Blues Club and FlowerArranging sessions with the One2one Outreach team and attends Barford for help with literacy and computer skills. She has also begun to eat more healthily and losing weight and is also hoping to join our 'It's Your Move' course.

Julie is now animated and enthusiastic and has hope for her future.