Celebrating 50 years of Plus Dane

I first came to Plus Dane in 2008 - I was 17 and going through a very difficult time. I was given a safe place to live and I still remember the feeling of safety on my first night in a comfortable bed.

I made friends with other people my age and was able to develop skills that I would need in the future, things like being responsible for finances, socialising and looking after myself. The friends I made, helped me realise I was not alone in my experiences and we all helped each other.

The staff who worked with us were supportive and approachable. I made plenty of mistakes, but they never gave up on me. They helped me get back on track, while also making sure I understood the consequences. It never felt like judgement, just guidance.

We did loads of fun activities together which I really enjoyed - we played games, we learned to cook and had Christmas together like a family. We also had the opportunity to contribute to the community around us.

Plus Dane changed the direction my life was heading and the support and resources I had back then set me up for the future. I think other organisations might have seen my behaviour as unacceptable and there would have likely been a lot of judgement, but the staff knew it was more of a cry for help and a way of expressing and processing my internal stresses and pain. There were clear boundaries and I was able to access any support that I needed to help me cope better.

Fast forward 17 years – I’m now married with two children and I’ve been working as a nurse for 11 years.

I have developed strong friendships and a good support network. My struggles with mental health continue but I am very good at managing this and accessing support - I am now more likely to go into my garden when I’m stressed and do something productive.

My weaknesses can also be a strength in my job - as a nurse, I strive for perfection, I want to make sure every patient receives the very best care and support. My background allows me to be empathetic and understanding of people, from all walks of life, and their experiences.

I recently caught up with some of the friends I made back then, we have all grown up and we’re doing well, contributing to society in a positive way. We all still have a cracking sense of humour, and we will never forget our time together. It’s amazing to see how far we’ve all come – we’ve all got careers in things like teaching, management, and caring roles. It just shows what it means to have the resources to support young people and invest in their future.

I hope Plus Dane continues to make a difference to young people just as they have with me. I am certain my future would have been very different to the one I have now, and I will be forever grateful.

When I was 17 and a half, I became homeless after my foster placement broke down and I had to leave. For a couple of weeks, I stayed at a Travelodge until social services arranged a room for me. That’s when I first came to Plus Dane. 

While living there, I met some of my neighbours—often outside while getting some fresh air (and smoking), or in the communal lounge. The friendships I made there were long-lasting, and many of us are still in touch today. That period was an important time in my life. I felt very alone at first, but through the people I met, I came to realise I wasn’t truly on my own. We became like a family, supporting one another through our struggles and the challenges of life.

One of the most significant outcomes from my time there was meeting someone who later introduced me to my husband. We’ve now been together for 18 years, married since 2011.

After leaving the hostel in 2007, I moved in with my husband and began working in the care industry where I have been for 17 years so far.

Plus Dane played a huge role in helping me. They gave me a roof over my head when I needed it most, supported me in managing my finances, and helped me prepare for independent living by teaching me essential life skills, such as cooking and cleaning. For that I am really grateful.