Supporting the National Housing Federation's Starts at Home campaign - Emily's story

That's why we're proud to be supporting Starts at Home, a National Housing Federation campaign that celebrates the value of care and support services, and highlights the difference that having a safe and secure place to call home makes to people's lives.

At Thirteen, we work with over 3,000 people in care and support settings, including extra care for older people, homes for people with learning disabilities, children leaving care, schemes to prevent homelessness and helping those leaving prison to find accommodation.

To highlight the critical role of care and support services, we’re sharing stories from some of our residents about what supported housing means to them.

One of those stories is Emily's*, an adult care leaver who was supported by the team at Penrith Road, our accommodation for families who are homeless in Middlesbrough. The team at Penrith Road helped Emily develop her confidence and move into a flat of her own, and she is now in touch with our employment support team to help build her career.

Emily's story

Imagine next week you're moving. You didn’t know this before. You’re on your own, with no family nearby, no car and no experience of moving house. You’re not sure where to start.

On top of all that, you’re carrying the weight of leaving behind a place that’s been your home, your safe space and your support system. This is the experience of many of our customers moving on from our supported accommodation, Penrith Road. But they don’t do it alone.

When Emily first moved to Penrith Road, she was taking her first independent steps as an adult care leaver. It wasn't easy at first.

She told us that she had previously felt let down and uncertain about her future, but with support from the team at Penrith Road, Emily began to trust. She stopped by the office each day to talk with staff members and accept support with her wellbeing.

By early 2025, Emily was ready for a change. She told us that she wanted to move into her own home and begin building her life. Working together, the local authority, the team at Penrith Road and Thirteen's Future Steps team made this happen.

The team at Penrith Road supported Emily with packing, arranging transport, sorting furniture and settling into a flat of her own.

Now, Emily is thriving in a home she loves. She's working closely with Thirteen's employability service and is applying for jobs to take the next step in her journey.

Emily's story highlights the important role that supported housing has in helping people build a brighter future and develop their independence.