Yesterday, we welcomed a 22-year-old care leaver into our 18+ semi-independent home. She’s a young woman whose baby has been removed, but who is very clearly doing everything she can to get back on track and work towards regaining care.

The first thing she said when she walked through the door stopped us in our tracks: “I’ve been in over 15 placements since I was a child in care, and never have I ever stepped into a home that feels like home straight away…”

As she was getting settled, she showed our residential worker a photo of her baby and said she wants to do everything possible to be the best mum and the best version of herself, for her and for her baby.

Then she asked:

“Do you think you guys could help me?”

She didn’t even know that alongside our housing provision, we also run our EmpowerHer Young Mums Hub, supporting young women who have lost care of their babies, and those who have gone on to regain care.

Alignment in real time right!!!!!! This was a weekend move, which is unusual for us, but it was an emergency.

And it came at the end of a really tough week, where one of our younger girls had to leave our under-18s home due to contextual safeguarding.

It was heartbreaking for her, and the team (on a plus she did come and see us at our girls Safe Space the following day).

But I’ll be honest…hearing this young woman’s words has given me the pep in my step I needed to keep going and keep doing what we do best.

P.S. The third screenshot is a message from the young person who had to leave our under-18s home this week.

There are plans for her to move into our 18+ semi-independent service when she turns 18… and for context, she’s already called dibs on her room.

This is our why.

Anima Youth