Housing First for Families helps JD to create a loving family home
A mum of two whose experiences of domestic abuse and a difficult upbringing left her quiet, lacking in confidence and with poor mental health is thriving in a Housing First for Families tenancy – caring for her young family and doing a job she loves.
JD, then aged 18, had spent two months living in temporary accommodation and was eight months’ pregnant with her first child when she was referred to Riverside Scotland.
She previously lived with partner’s family but there was a domestic incident that sparked a police call-out, a suspected abusive incident and social work concerns over her relationship and living conditions.
JD was also care-experienced having spent time in foster care because of domestic violence and alcohol problems with her parents. She was quiet and lacked confidence.
She was quickly allocated a secure Housing First tenancy and gave birth around the same time, meaning things had to move rapidly to ensure her new home was set up with goods from the Scottish Welfare Fund. Riverside Scotland worked with social work and the family nurse partnership to help JD in her new home.
JD engaged well with services initially but further experiences of domestic violence led to her disengaging and her baby was placed on the Child Protection Register, with her partner only allowed supervised visits.
Her housing officer and other services worked with JD to offer support and guidance, allowing her time and space to understand what was happening to her and how it was impacting her baby. She worked with a Housing First for Families mental health nurse and was helped with shopping, appointments and going to mum and baby groups.
JD became pregnant again and despite the challenges of having two children a year apart, showed resilience and courage to build a nurturing and stable home for her family.
Backed by a character reference from Riverside Scotland, JD achieved her dream of finding a job as a Care at Home assistant for her local council and has since moved into a domestic assistant role in a care home. She has started taking driving lessons.
We Work for Families supported JD with benefit changes, nursery placements and financial support for work clothes. JD has also had support from the Scottish Welfare Fund, Riverside Helping Hands, help with energy costs from Fuel Fund and every Christmas receives gift donations from Riverside.
And JD has been an instrumental part of Riverside Scotland’s service, taking part in academic research by Napier University into Housing First for Families, and completing feedback for a Care Inspectorate report.
Now, her confidence shines through. She always made sure her children were well presented but now takes that same pride in herself – a telling sign of how good she feels in herself. She is socialising with friends again and expresses gratitude to her housing officer for being there for her through the most challenging time in her life.
Housing First for Families has enabled JD to build her confidence, wellbeing and resilience, achieve her goals and provide a loving, caring environment for her children. She is a courageous, inspiring and great mother.