Will you help make a place to call home?
Make a home for a homeless young person
Church Army Ty Bronna: A Safe Haven for Kayleigh
Sadly, there are many young people every year who need our help because they have become homeless. Many of them come to us with experience of complex trauma, looked-after children, care leavers, part of the youth justice system, some released from prison or mental health facilities; some are refugees or asylum seekers. Many have suffered adverse childhood experiences; some have been criminally or sexually exploited. All are loved by God and are precious to Him.
Kayleigh came to Ty Bronna 18 months ago:
“I was in a very dark place, living at home wasn’t very nice, it was traumatising, I went through a lot of stuff, not nice experiences. My family didn’t show any love.”
Kayleigh heard about Ty Bronna and was found a place in the hostel – it wasn’t all plain sailing as she
suffered with anxiety and depression:
“I was surrounded by so many lovely key workers and every day they’d make sure I was ok and support me, help me to look after myself such as how to cook and keep myself and my bedroom clean and tidy. When I first came in here I was in a right state, I didn’t know what day of the week it is to be honest but the support workers really helped me a lot – they’re there more than my own family.”
We did a lot of activities. We went on boat trips – I’d never experienced going out because of anxiety – it gave me confidence. I travel a lot more now and my anxiety and depression is getting way on form, it’s really good.”
Kayleigh has done so well that she’s now in one of our training flats in the community and continues to be supported by us – it’s a vital stepping-stone towards independence.
Will you help more young people like Kayleigh?
Church Army Ty Bronna: The Last Chance for Jess
A home to live in is a basic human right but the issues leading to homelessness are often complex with young people scarred by rejection.
Jess* came to us having been in the care system since age 4. She’d had multiple foster placements that broke down continually and after leaving the care system was living in a tent in the city centre. Different support facilities had asked her to leave due to her behaviour and her last hope was Ty Bronna.
“DURING THIS TIME STAFF DEALT ENDLESSLY WITH ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, DRUG AND ALCOHOL MISUSE, CRIMINAL OFFENDING, SELF-HARM BUT WE STUCK WITH HER BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT WE DO.” – Rachel Codd, Ty Bronna Support Services Manager
Jess’ support team worked through her issues at her own pace and Jess has now been awarded her
own flat, she is coping amazingly and is also working. She’s just sent a thank you card to the staff for
believing in her when she didn’t think anyone else did. A home to live in is a basic human right but the issues leading to homelessness are often complex with young people scarred by rejection.
*name changed for anonymity
Will you help more young people like jess?
Church Army Ty Bronna
In this episode of Cuppa with a Key Worker, we’re live from Cardiff at Church Army’s Ty Bronna project. Ty Bronna is a supported-accommodation project working with young people experiencing a housing crisis.
