Bruna's story

*Bruna's name has been changed to protect her identity.   

Bruna came to the women’s night shelter in October after being classified as “intentionally homeless” by the council. This happened because she was unable to attend a property viewing arranged by the council due to illness, which led to her being deemed intentionally homeless.  

As a result, the council withdrew their support and no longer assisted her in securing housing. 

Feeling overwhelmed by the system, Bruna received our support to challenge the council’s decision. Together, we also explored various housing options, including Priority Social Rent (PSR), supported housing, and social housing for those over 55. She is now happily settled in a one-bedroom social housing property.  

I came to the women’s night shelter in October because the council refused to help me. I had left my shared accommodation because I was very traumatised. Some of the people there were very abusive and intimidating. It was also overcrowded, and I felt scared of the men – I said, ‘what’s gonna happen to me here?’ So, I left. 

I stayed at a friend’s house for three nights, but I didn’t want to tell them that I couldn’t go back home. I tried to ring the council to say, ‘can you help me tonight?’ But I didn’t want to say anything because I was scared. So, I called another friend. I went to stay in his house for three months. 

I went back to the council, but they only had places to stay with lots of people living together. I said ‘no, it’s going to be the same environment, and I know these people are going to do something to me again’. 

I tried to get a job, but they told me to get a place to live first, because otherwise it would be too much stress.

I ended up working just 3 days a week so I could pay for a hostel to live in. I stayed for nine months in one shelter, but it was very stressful there. But at least I had my own room, everything. And no-one staying there did anything to me, we became friends. I was friends with the girl next door because I loved her cat, so she started to trust me. Even now, I go there and sometimes take a food sachet for the cat. 

I had some mental health issues, and I couldn’t work for a while. I went to the doctor, and they gave me a note saying I was not fit to work and could take a holiday.

But I was upset with the government because I worked, I paid taxes, but they still wouldn’t put me on housing priority. They didn’t care about my mental health, about what I was going through. 

I knew about Glass Door because I stayed in the shelters for two weeks the previous year. This time, I quit my job in October and then came to the women’s night shelter in November. That’s where I met my caseworker, Grace. I also met nice girls in the shelter, very nice people. The food was nice too.                 

Grace is very nice. Very good. I had been struggling and was worried that the next place I lived would be wrong, but she listened and was very calm. She found me some places that were shared but I said ‘no, they’re not right for me.’ I wasn’t worried about location, I just needed to be in my own place. 

So, Grace found me my own place in February, and when I went to see it, I texted her straight away and I said I love it.

The landlords are very helpful people. It all happened very quickly, and I got the keys in two days. My neighbour also gave me a mattress. 

Now I’ve been in my flat for five months and the quiet has been very good for me because I was very tired. It goes up and down, up and down. But the council now are very helpful, they helped me find a foodbank and are helping me pay bills. 

Now I’m looking for work again and want to go back to my normal life. I want to save money to visit my family abroad, we’re a big family. 

I’m a grown-up woman now. I think I’ve got stronger. Something bad happened to me, but I’m not scared anymore.