Emma* is 20 and studying Art and Design at college. Six months ago, she made the decision to leave her family home and move into a refuge.
It was not an easy decision. But it was the right one.
Settling into a new place while continuing her studies brought its own challenges. Emma arrived with very few belongings and limited money for day-to-day essentials. Managing that alongside everything else she was adjusting to felt like a lot to carry at once.
With support from her refuge support worker, she was referred to Longleigh Foundation for practical help. The grant covered food, clothing and travel costs, easing some of the immediate financial pressure and giving her space to focus on what mattered most: her studies and settling into her new environment.
The support also helped Emma keep travelling to college and stay on track with her course, even as so much in her life was changing.
Reflecting on the experience, she said:
“Overall, I feel very positive. The support I received has helped me tremendously. It has made me feel much more relaxed and secure about my financial worries. The process was very smooth and easy to understand, and the lady who helped me was always very lovely.”
Emma is continuing her studies and focused on building the future she wants for herself. Receiving practical support at the right time eased immediate financial worries, allowing her to concentrate on settling into her new home and continuing her education.
*Names are changed and stock images are used to protect identities.
Would you like to share your experience? If you have received a grant or service from us, sharing your experience can help us raise more funds and help even more families.
Emma
Grantee
"These vouchers were incredibly helpful, especially during a time when I had so much trauma to work through. It made me feel very secure and comfortable knowing I didn't have to worry about buying food."
