6th December 2021
Sanctuary Supported Living
Chaney lives at Southend Young Parents Supported Housing, which provides accommodation and support for vulnerable young parents aged 16 to 19. She took part in the Get on Track for Wellbeing programme, run in partnership between Sanctuary Supported Living and the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust. This is her story.
Chaney said: “Before the programme, I wasn’t really a sociable person. I didn’t really want to speak to anyone and I just kind of kept myself to myself. I was also feeling depressed, as I couldn’t get housing and it felt like other people I knew were getting on with their lives and I was just stuck.
The most useful part of the programme was probably learning about future career paths when I move out of housing, and thinking about what jobs and courses I can go on, as I want to go into nursing or midwifery.
I used to really struggle with cooking healthy meals, but this programme has really helped. Suzanne helped with a personal healthy eating plan for me and some ideas and tweaks for me to live a healthier lifestyle.
One thing I’ll definitely be doing, now that the programme has ended, is going to the gym regularly to really work on my own fitness and wellbeing.
"Get on Track has really helped me to think more positively"
Get on Track has really helped me to think more positively. Previously, I had negative thoughts about everything and thought I wouldn’t be able to achieve anything really. I now have a much more positive mindset. I always struggled to ask people for help previously as well, whereas now I recognise there are times when I’m going to need something, and I’m better at reaching out to people for that help now.”
Suzanne Miller, a former professional badminton player for England, who mentored the Get on Track for Wellbeing participants at Sanctuary Supported Living’s Southend services, said: “One thing I noticed about Chaney is that she had these great ideas and had this motivation. She just needed a bit of extra support to realise that all of that good stuff was in her, and a plan to help push things forward. I’ve seen a huge improvement in Chaney’s resilience and motivation in the time we’ve worked together.”
Abigail Lynch, Local Service Manager for Southend Young Parents Supported Housing added: “Chaney’s confidence has come on in leaps and bounds since she took part in the Get on Track programme and I’m so proud of her progress. Her overall confidence and general wellbeing has improved and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next for her."
