One of the residents living in one of the properties which are part of Barnet Homes Get Real scheme, got the keys to a home of their own this week.  Miss Lee credits the scheme’s support in helping her progress with her studies and getting closer to her dream of starting a fashion business.

Just to recap: the ultimate goal of Get Real is to produce semi-independent young people and of the young people on the scheme, 100% are making a community contribution. Supporting the young people through the Get Real programme involves mediating with families and teaching independence, budgeting and life skills.

Four years ago, Miss Lee, now 21, was living in a hostel for singles before she got the opportunity to move into shared accommodation with two other young housemates from the Get Real House. And even that wasn’t easy as Miss Lee herself admits: “Living in a hostel situation with so many single adults some of who were quite vulnerable, was really difficult for me.”

Miss Lee continues: “Everything brightened up for me when I moved to the Get Real property. There was still lots of challenges for me – I don’t find it easy to share facilities, or space, with other people. But living in the house helped me to learn how to live with others.  My Get Real co-ordinator, Noreen, really supported me. Sometimes I disagreed with a lot what she said!  But I realise now Noreen was helping me plan for my future. She encouraged me to stick with my education and got me counselling to help me with some of my emotional issues.  I have now completed an extended diploma in Fashion & Textiles.  Noreen is helping me complete the application form to go to an international university to study fashion styling and merchandise, so I am getting closer to my dream of starting a fashion business.”

Miss Lee has scored a triple whammy  – getting the keys to her own place, completing an extended diploma and finally getting a part-time job with a big name fashion retailer in Oxford Circus. She also got a little help from BOOST and Reed recruitment. Well done!