Vicky’s story

Vicky is from Southampton. She is now 19 and her daughter is almost 3. They first came to Chapter 1 a year ago. They had been living in a local refuge after escaping a violent relationship. Her own family was fragmented and so she couldn’t go back to them.

 In 2010 they moved into McCarthy House, part of Chapter 1’s young parents’ project. At McCarthy young mothers and their children can live in their own space, but at the same time know there is always support on hand.

 Vicky explained: ‘I had to get out of the relationship with my daughter’s father. I was only 17, too young to keep the tenancy. The refuge was safe but it’s a place you only stay for a short time. We all had experience of violence, but the people there had all sorts of other issues. Most of them were much older than me.

 ‘ When I came to Chapter 1 I was with other young mothers, but even so we still have different needs. The team here understand that. There’s always someone to talk to you. They’ve helped me to manage my bills so I don’t get into debt. They make sure you can cope on your own before you move on. It’s not easy, you’re not just in and out, but it grows you up.

‘If I’d just been put in a flat on my own, I wouldn’t have known who to ring when I had a problem. I’d have been debt. Young people don’t understand how important it is to pay bills. Now I feel much better in myself because I know my bills are paid every week. No-one’s going to come knocking on my door to take the television away.’

Last summer Vicky was part of a group of Chapter 1 residents who took part in a national conference, Respect, which profiled anti-social behaviour and domestic violence. Working with a drama group they created a short performance about the experience of young people in hostels.

Vicky continued: ‘Everyone loved it when we performed. We tried to show how it feels for us. How important it is for staff and residents to listen to each other, and recognise we’ve all got different needs. My advice would be to think about yourself and not get involved in other people’s situations.

‘ It’s hard – because in a hostel everyone knows your business, but we’re here for different reasons. Just because we’re all young mums doesn’t make us all the same. I don’t think anyone should be judgmental. It doesn’t matter how old you, you can still be a good mother.’

Vicky is now to ready move into a tenancy of her own where her little girl will be able to have her own room. Vicky talked about her plans for the future.

‘My first priority is to make our new flat into a home, get it the way we want. I want to be settled with no debts, a home of my own, and a job. My daughter will be going to nursery soon and then I’d like to find part-time work. I don’t mind what kind of work I get. I’ve never had a proper job and you have to make a start somewhere.’

Chapter 1 Project Worker, Sharon John, who supports the eight young mothers living in McCarthy House, explained: ‘All the young women want to live independently, to have a home they can call their own, but they also know they need support. Part of my job is to assist  them to recognise what that support should be.

‘The young women  do not want to be judged in a negative way. They want to be seen as people who can do as well as other people. Most would love to be able to work, but it’s a massive step to go from benefits to work. Once they realise just how big a deal it is, it can be quite a daunting prospect.’