Erin
Erin was 7 years old when her dad passed away. She lived with her mum and siblings before her mum remarried and her stepdad joined the household. When she was 19 Erin sadly lost her mum to a long-term illness.
Within a couple of weeks, the family home where she grew up became unsafe. Erin’s stepdad was an alcoholic. She was left alone and sad. Erin said “I didn’t want to live with an alcoholic. We just kept arguing and he became violent. I no longer felt safe in my own home”.
She added “It was sickening really to have to leave, it’s where I grew up. It’s not what you imagine at 19 years old”.
Erin now lives with one of our host families, she said: “When I found SASH, I felt a sense of relief. You walk through the house and someone’s always in to say hi. I love it where I am, we just get on so well. I can speak to anybody about anything and everything. It’s just life advice, but sometimes you just need that reassurance really”.
“Since being in SASH everything’s changed for the better, I’ve now got a boyfriend, a new job and I’m making a better life for myself. I’ve had to mature a lot quicker than most people, but I’ve become more confident as a young adult and I’m looking forward to the future”.