Scott* reflects on his struggle to find stability growing up and the benefits of counselling:

The first half of my childhood was relatively easy – I wasn’t privileged but I wasn’t poor either. Then family life started falling apart in my teenage years. I didn’t do very well at school and I moved around to different schools. Because of this I never felt settled. To cope with this I buried my head in video games and daydreamed about a better life – a life without being bullied or harassed.  

I was having difficulties at home and it was decided that a change of environment would be beneficial. I was encouraged by my Dad and older sister to seek support from my local EveryYouth charity Roundabout, and its Homeless Prevention Service. My sister had been supported by Roundabout before and after my initial meeting I was given a bed for the night at Roundabout’s hostel. Knowing my sister had already lived there helped. I felt more informed about where I was going and the choices I would have going forward. 

From the first night in their emergency bedspace I was moved into permanent accommodation at the hostel. At first I was based in the main part of the building but was then offered a room in the facility’s flats. Having a warm bed and a roof over my head made a big difference. 

I was allocated a keyworker while living at the hostel which felt very supportive. As well as being helped with practical elements of adjusting to life away from home, I was also offered sessions with Roundabout’s counsellor. 

At first I wasn’t totally convinced about the idea of speaking to a counsellor. I felt hesitant, apprehensive and wasn’t sure if it was for me or not. My parents suggested it might be a good idea and it has been really helpful now that I’ve done it. 

It can be a bit of a struggle to find the right counsellor but I really gel with Nick and feel like I can talk to him openly.  

Support with Roundabout has been very helpful to me. They’ve always provided support in difficult times, dealing with family issues as well as my mental health. They gave me a warm bed and a roof over my head. 

In times of crisis, support workers and Roundabout staff have been there for me. I can confidently say I’ve never had a bad experience with the support I have received. The people at Roundabout are very understanding. 

“I continue to attend counselling on a weekly basis and I cannot recommend it enough.”

I have moved out of the hostel and have my own place which I’m slowly making my own with some DIY and personal touches. Since leaving the hostel, I have moved to Roundabout’s Supporting Tenants Team and have a new keyworker who has helped me in so many ways, such as voluntary work. I’ve been working with a church on Thursdays and this has been a big confidence boost. I’m aiming to be in full time employment as soon as I can and have had recent interviews for a couple of promising jobs around Sheffield.  

I continue to attend counselling through Roundabout on a weekly basis and I cannot recommend it enough. It has helped me in more ways than one. Currently, I’m not where I’d like to be but I am doing a lot better than I was doing.  

The advice I would give to anyone in a similar situation is to power through the difficult times and see the light at the end of the tunnel.  

To find out more about our EveryYouth Healthy programme click here.

*Name has been changed for privacy reasons.