McKenna explains how her confidence and independence grew when she involved herself in available services:
Hi I’m McKenna. I grew up with my mum and siblings in Scotland. I had a hard time keeping friends because I moved house and schools a good few times. I left home at 16 years old and stayed in a hostel for young people before I found my local EveryYouth charity, The Rock Trust, in Edinburgh.
The Rock Trust helped me to secure a two-year contract so I could move into my own place. At first I felt like I was being independent because I had just moved into my own house, but there were days when I didn’t feel good. I decided to involve myself more in services and support available and it made me feel a lot better.
I met weekly with support workers, who offered budgeting advice and told me about daily activities I could get involved in at the Rock Trust Edinburgh office. For example, I like visiting the art studio space. There’s also gardening or cooking classes, or if you just need a chat, staff are available.
Thanks to their support, I feel a lot more confident living by myself now. The budgeting advice helped. I used to be not so great with money, but I have got a lot better. I feel a lot more independent and more confident.
I really enjoy singing and I can play guitar very well so I think I’d have potential if I were to post videos online.
My advice to anyone else going through a similar situation would be to take as much help that you’re being offered because it does make a difference. Even if you don’t feel like you need it, take it anyway because it can make a difference.
The support gave me an opportunity to live by myself and see the real life struggles of living by yourself and also the good moments.
