First of all, I really like the atmosphere here. There are lots of people to talk to and many are in similar situations to me. We’re all from different backgrounds, some are working, some were on the streets, but we’ve all got one thing in common – being here together.

Yes, we do, because everybody gets on at the cottages. I was really worried whether people would keep the living spaces clean and if people would be as clean as me. But it’s really clean because we all take turns

The people that get up first will ask the others if they want coffee. We share all the food, whether its food that we’ve bought or has been donated to us. We’ve decided that all the food gets put together in the communal kitchen for everybody to share. That way everybody always gets a meal.

I actually look forward to the staff coming in every day. I have all my favourites, but for different reasons – there’s one that I might go to for a heart-to-heart chat for all the emotional stuff, then there’s another one that will lift my spirits if I am having a rubbish day. There’s one that will take me to appointments.

They all have different personalities, and they are all my favourites. Every day I ask who’s coming in tomorrow. They’ve helped me get registered with my doctor and dentist and sort out my Universal Credit. They really help with everything that needs to be done to get me where I need to be.

I’ve got a best friend here called Tara. She had gone through a tough time when she was homeless.  When  she moved in, we quickly became friends and we enjoy having girly chats.

All the residents are really friendly. We all share the TV and say ‘good morning’ to each other. Being with others  in my situation and talking about their experiences takes my mind off of what I have been through.

If I didn’t have the people here, I’d be very low. Because I’d lost my son, I was going through a lot of mental health problems before I became homeless. I’m waiting to start bereavement counselling, and the staff are going to take me to a bereavement café, for people who have lost children. They will drive me there and sit with me before bringing me back. Without being here and having their support, there was definitely another way that I probably would have gone!

The staff have kept my mind occupied and made me see a way out, that I didn’t see before.

The staff are helping me to get my mental health straight. They help me pick up medication, make sure I don’t miss appointments, make phone calls with me or for me. To be honest, some days I don’t want to get out of bed and when there are things I need to do, without them, it wouldn’t get done.