North Star welcomes residents of Darlington Housing Association - Find out more
Starts at Home Week is a yearly celebration of the crucial work our care workers provide. It acts as a reminder that a decent home is the first essential in turning people’s lives around and that those who support our vulnerable people in accessing it should receive the recognition they deserve. The following case study is an example of just that and we hope that it shines a light on the brave stories of the most vulnerable in our society.
We received a referral for UP and her nine-year-old daughter in October 2021 and placed her in our temporary Rainham House accommodation in Middlesbrough. UP came to North Star’s Rainham House in October 2021 with her nine-year-old daughter. We received the referral as she was placed in temporary accommodation in Middlesbrough town centre. This accommodation comprised of mixed males and UP was a victim of crime at the property through no fault of her own.
UP had been placed here as she fled from domestic violence by her ex-wife in Northern Ireland, as she engaged with My Sister Place and Women’s Refuge. UP was successfully processed and received by the service within 24 hours of a needs and eligibility assessment.
UP has Malaysian nationality with the right to remain in the UK. She had to leave her home country due to her sexuality, leaving behind her family, home and a very good job.
We supported UP with benefits and money advice, as well as universal credit and child benefit claims. UP was able to maintain her working commitments to a zero-hour contract and worked well with support staff for budgeting and setting up bills and accounts. She was also successfully released from Middlesbrough council child social services due to her placement at Rainham House and positive attitude.
UP was able to set up a savings account in readiness for moving on and engaged with services including Step Forward. She was heavily involved with tenant engagement, including meeting the mayor. UP also helped to open communications with her employer, McDonald’s, and as a result, the McDonald’s Foundation formed a partnership for people in need at Rainham House.
UP was very motivated and regularly placed bids on Tees Valley Homefinder and My Thirteen, but narrowly missed out on a number of occasions. However, she was successful in an offer of accommodation with North Star. UP secured an assured tenancy close to her work and her daughter’s new school. We successfully applied to the Greggs Foundation and were able to obtain white goods for the family. They have now set up their first-ever forever home together and are settling in well.
