Laura

Laura was just six years old when her mum passed away. Having never met her biological dad and with no other family who could look after her, she found herself in the care system. For the next ten years in care, Laura faced traumatic and abusive experiences that would go on to shape her future.

Laura and Rock Trust

Aged 18, Laura was referred to us for youth-specific housing support. She met Gary, one of our project workers at the time, to talk about her situation. She was immediately offered supported accommodation through our Bedrock project in Edinburgh.

Describing the way she was living at the time, Laura used the word ‘chaotic,’ having parties in the flat, misusing alcohol and drugs, and avoiding all responsibility or control. She was carrying around so much trauma that she had no idea how to process, so she unleashed it instead. Due to antisocial behaviour and neighbour complaints, Laura was almost asked to leave her flat. But when she found out she was pregnant, she was determined to turn her life around and create a safe space for her child.

Laura’s support worker Colin could see Laura’s potential and had faith that she could change her behaviours for the better, so he helped her moved into another of our supported flats in a different part of the city where she could start fresh.

Laura had a healthy baby daughter and started making good progress in her new home. But over time she still struggled to make positive choices when it came to her relationships. Her support network continued to have concerns, and eventually her daughter was taken into care, just as Laura had been so many years before.

Speaking about this time in her life, Laura described it as extremely difficult for her, and that she valued so much the continued, consistent support of Colin and the team at Rock Trust.

“Rock Trust saved me. I don’t know where I would be if I didn’t have accommodation through Bedrock. I didn’t have family or any support network. Rock Trust was always there for me, even when I was chaotic, so I could always see the light at the end of the tunnel. I feel Colin was like a parent to me, a lifeline.” Laura

Moving on to a better future

Laura stayed being supported by Rock Trust until she was able to secure social housing and was ready to set herself up on her own. She met a new partner who she is still with today, and they went on to have children together.

The first of those children was born prematurely, at only 32 weeks, and she had to stay in hospital for many weeks. It was at this time, seeing the incredible care that her baby received, that Laura decided she wanted to be a nurse.  That was a key turning point for her, the moment she found her future.   

She went back to school to get her Nat 5, went to college and then University. One of the first things she did when she graduated as a nurse, was to phone up Rock Trust and ask to speak to Gary and Colin, the people who had believed in her when she didn’t believe in herself.

Laura came back to our Edinburgh Hub recently, to see everyone, Gary and Colin in particular, to say thank you, and to share her whole story with us, so that we could share it with you.

Colin is still at Rock Trust, working as a project worker, still changing young people’s lives. Gary is here too, and is now our Head of Services, shaping how we support young people and making sure we continue to grow our reach.

“I'm so proud of her. We always knew she was a clever one. She was a force, but always an amazing person. No matter the crisis she was going through, it was always a very positive visit.” Colin, Project Worker

Laura’s now on a mission to encourage young people affected by homelessness who, like she once did, are finding it difficult to thrive.

Laura is coming back to Rock Trust again, but this time, as a volunteer mentor for young people affected by homelessness.