One of our residents who has turned her life around after experiencing homelessness has won a national award.
Ciara Nash, 18, scooped the Personal Achievement Award at the Room for Young People Awards – a ceremony in Birmingham designed to commend the efforts of young people having a positive impact in society.
Ciara left her family home at the age of 16 and moved into Hendra Lodge, our supported housing project in Cornwall, aimed at young people between 16 and 25 who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.
Ciara said: “I was really surprised to be nominated and I didn’t know anything about the awards. I didn’t expect to be nominated out of all those people who have all gone through a difficult time and have worked very hard for themselves. So, for me, it’s the fact I got picked out of all of them.”
Since moving to the Foyer, Ciara has learnt and has shown a natural talent to help young people.
She is thankful to Young People Cornwall who have given her support. But also, her social worker who made sure there was accommodation for her when she had to move out.
Ciara said: “I have found lots of support from Young People Cornwall. They have given me Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and I’ve been able to join a youth group with them and I run different things with them. They’ve made me feel like I belong somewhere.”
Ciara’s talent to support young people led her to undertake Peer Champion Training through Young People Cornwall and become a volunteer youth mentor who now runs a local youth group every week which she is very passionate about doing.
Not only this, but she is working in a shop and attending college, gaining distinctions for her course work to complete a level three Forensics and Criminal Investigations qualification.
She is hoping to go on to get a degree in forensics and possibly join the police force in the future.
Ciara added: “Joining the Foyer has been lovely because it’s meant I can focus on myself a bit and work on that stability which allows me to focus on what I needed to focus on.
“It’s helped me realise my full potential. I’ve now been able to grow and build relationships with my family again.”
In lockdown, Ciara was inspired by Sir Captain Tom and decided to raise money for the NHS. In February of this year, she committed to completing 10,000 steps a day and support staff were so impressed by her commitment.
Ciara is a big advocate of helping people overcome mental health in the youth group and by attending meetings with officials for CAMHS – the NHS service for young people with mental health difficulties.
She was at the forefront of raising awareness for Mental Health Week and was chosen to front a radio campaign to encourage young people to get their Covid 19 vaccinations. She also got involved with a group to improve people’s mental health through nature.
Although it has taken over a year, through the support of Hendra Lodge Foyer and Young People Cornwall, Ciara has been able to improve her mental wellbeing, exercise regularly, support herself and get qualifications.
Ciara said: “It’s interesting to see where I’ve come from and the transformation I’ve made. That’s been a big thing for me that I’ve been able to change myself. I’ve worked with others to do it, but it’s been for myself and I haven’t expected others to do it for me.”
“I’ve got more people I know, and I can talk to, but I also see many of them as a family. It’s also for me, that people have recognised it which is quite a big thing. It’s odd because it wasn’t clear to me before, but it’s been really nice.”