Liverpool YMCA

Sam was referred from the Whitechapel agency, due to her chaotic lifestyle and use of drugs her relationship with her family had broken down and subsequently had found herself homeless. Sam had just been discharged from hospital after major surgery due to injecting, she had previously been a member of the YMCA and had been asked to leave due to excessive drug use and rent arrears.

Sam appealed the YMCA decision and she won her appeal subject to a 28 day probationary period, during this period Sam would be expected to comply with support and address drug and health issues as well as attending appointments with her probation worker. The probationary period was successful and Sam became a full member of the YMCA, since living at the YMCA she has involved herself with quite a lot of group work activities and is a very keen member of the drama workshop which she attends every week without fail.

Sam also attends the Together Women Project twice weekly and this has helped her considerably reduce her drug use by keeping herself occupied. Her reduced drug use is evidenced by her appearance which is much improved. She has attended the Gateway Dentistry Service and is regularly attending appointments for dental reconstruction.

Sam is also working within a resettlement programme and maintains her personal rent charges weekly, she also budgets for her food and knows when she is ready to move on that she will need to budget for water, electricity and gas, due to Sam's continuing improvement she has now moved up to a self contained flat.