Quotes from Our Tenants

I never thought I’d be writing something like this. Asking for help is not easy for me. Most days, just getting through the day already takes everything I have. I live in supported accommodation. That means I am trying to rebuild my life while carrying things most people can’t see – mental health struggles, trauma, fear, and the constant effort it takes just to stay afloat. Some days I manage. Some days I barely do. I don’t have savings. I don’t have family who can step in when things go wrong. When something breaks, when I need basics, or when life hits a little harder than usual, there is nowhere else to turn. This is why I’m asking for help. Any money donated to EHSL will go towards supporting tenants like me with things that many people take for granted –that make life feel a little more stable and a little more human. If you’re able to help, even a small amount, it would mean more than I can explain. And if you can’t, sharing this is also a kindness. Thank you for reading. Thank you for seeing us. Thank you for reminding me that I’m not completely alone.

Before moving into supported housing, my life was very unstable. I struggled to manage daily tasks and often felt overwhelmed and unsafe. My housing situation was uncertain, which increased my anxiety and made it difficult to focus on my wellbeing. I had limited support and often felt isolated, unsure where to turn when things became difficult.
I experience ongoing mental health difficulties, including anxiety and periods of poor mental health that affect my ability to cope with everyday life. These challenges can make it hard to manage routines, maintain stability, and engage consistently with services without support. Supported living has given me stability and a safe place to live. Having my own accommodation, alongside regular support, has helped me feel more secure and less anxious. I now have support in place to help me manage my tenancy, access services, and deal with issues before they escalate. Knowing that there are people who understand my needs and can offer guidance has made a significant positive difference to my quality of life. I still face challenges, particularly around the cost of living, managing finances, and maintaining social connections. Some days my mental health makes it harder to leave the property or engage with others. Transport and accessing the community can also be difficult at times. However, with ongoing support from EHSL, I feel better equipped to manage these challenges than I did before.

I don’t usually talk about my past. But if I’m going to ask for help, I need to be honest. When I was around 18, I had an accident that changed my life. After that, I developed epilepsy and had to stop working. Losing my health and my job at the same time broke something in me. I became depressed. I turned to drugs and alcohol. I was angry, lost, and at times violent. I moved from place to place, never really settling, never really believing things could be different. For a long time, my life felt out of control. Everything changed when I moved into supported living. For the first time, I had stability. I had staff who didn’t give up on me and support that helped me slowly rebuild myself. But just as important, I found something in myself - the willingness to change. With support and hard work, I stopped taking drugs. I stopped drinking. I learned how to manage my epilepsy and my emotions. It hasn’t been easy, and it didn’t happen overnight. But my life today looks nothing like my life before. Now, for the first time in years, I have hope. I want to move forward. I want to live independently. I want to continue growing, healing, and prove to myself that my past does not define my future. That’s why I’m asking for help. Any support or donation would go towards helping tenants like me take the next step to learn how to live more independently. I know I can’t change what happened to me. But I’ve worked hard to change who I am. Thank you for reading my story. Thank you for believing that people can change, and thank you for helping me take the next step forward.