Read Sallie’s reflections on her difficult childhood, homelessness and her future plans to work with children and young people.

My name is Sallie I am 24. I was born in Angola but I came to the UK when I was 5 years old and lived here ever since.

A lot of things changed when I came to the UK. As a child, I experienced a lot of domestic and sexual abuse, from family and community members. Because of our culture, I felt a lot of shame and couldn’t speak out. My family used to say that mental health didn’t exist, but my mental health was deteriorating.

At the same time, at school I was bullied because of my race. There were 150 students in my year and I was the only black person. I was shy, unconfident and couldn’t stand up for myself.

“My family used to say that mental health didn’t exist“

When I was 16, I ran away from my parents and went to live with my friend because I couldn’t take it anymore. My friend told me about Roundabout and I lived there until I turned 18.

I was working at fast-food restaurant but I was treated badly there. I wasn’t given opportunities and given a lot of the most difficult roles. Because my confidence was so low, I couldn’t stick up for myself at work either. I decided to leave.

At the time, my boyfriend encouraged me to prove my family wrong by working hard and doing my best. At Roundabout, we had a computer room downstairs that I would work in until 4-5am working on my assignments and revising for my exams. I got really good grades in my a-levels and Level 3 Health and Social Care Diploma.

Living at Roundabout was mixed – the staff were really nice but it was hard as some of the young people there were getting into trouble. There were times I felt lonely and missed my mum.

After Roundabout, I moved to Depaul UK for a year who gave me a flat and a key worker who helped me become a bit more independent. Once the year was up, I successfully bid on social housing, but my family talked me out of taking it and convinced me to move back in with them.

I started my Child Nursing degree at university – it was amazing but also the worst time of my life. My supervisor pointed out to me that I might have dyslexia and encouraged me to get tested. When I went to get tested, they said I didn’t have it – I felt stupid. The lack of support from the university meant that I failed my final year.

At this point, the relationship with my family deteriorated again and by December, I had no place and nowhere to go.

My universal credit payment only came to £220 – I couldn’t find anywhere to live with that little money.

My friend told me about a staff member at Roundabout that could help find a place to stay. That’s when I got in contact with Ray. He was really welcoming and gave me a place to live in a Future Builders property in South Yorkshire.

“I can’t change my past but I can change my future”

Right now, I’m studying Learning Disability Nursing and Social Work student at Sheffield Hallam University.

I really want to help young people, that’s the thing for me. It’s been a passion of mine and I’m not giving up. I hope this degree gives me more opportunity to do what I want to do.

The University has been really supportive and I’ve been able to get a dyslexia diagnosis and support.

In the future, I want to open my own charity back in Angola for children out there that are suffering in conflict. Also, I want to give back to Roundabout for the love and support they’ve given me any way I can. If there wasn’t this organistion, where would I be? I would have been homeless or joining gangs or dealing drugs.

Looking back on my journey, It’s been really hard. Sometimes I blame myself but it is what it is. I’m trying to move forward and get a better life. I’m 100% grateful for the opportunity Ray has given me. I can’t change my past but I can change my future. I want to tell young people that this is just a phase you’re going through. You can do whatever you want as long as you put your mind to it. Don’t let anything stop you.

To find out more about our Future Builders programme click here.