Horizons Case Study - J
J has currently been seeing her mentor for about 3 months now. When she applied for the project, she was living in a local hostel for women and had a history of being exploited by men, mental health needs and vulnerability within her community due to being blind. She had only recently moved to Bristol, having been forced to relocate due to exploitation and street homelessness. She felt vulnerable and unsafe within her community.
J wanted someone to talk to who had been through similar experiences and with whom she could develop a trusting relationship and support base. In some ways J was a very independent person, as she attended college daily, but she still needed help to settle in to her new community and feel safe in order for her to remain settled and reduce the risk of her becoming vulnerable, exploited and homeless again.
J was matched with a mentor of a similar age, who had experienced homelessness and mental health problems herself and who had actually stayed in the same hostel as J at an earlier time during her own journey to recovery.
The relationship between J and her mentor was about developing trust and having someone to talk to who could empathise and use their own experiences to help J to gain confidence and venture out in to her local community. Together they explored local cafes, where they would meet and talk. They also visited the local library and city farm. The mentor also supported J when she visited potential "move-on" accommodation, included supported housing, helping J to think through her options, needs and hopes for the future. J is now moving into her own general needs flat and the mentor is supporting her during this transition.
J also needed help in learning to find her way into and around town on foot. The mentor guided her around, by holding her elbow, for a period of time during their visits to the shops and cafes. Having built up her confidence, J is now practising with her white stick whilst visiting town with her mentor and no longer feels the need to have the mentor physically guide her. She is hoping to get to a stage where she is able to visit town on her own.
J and her mentor spent a lot of time talking, sharing stories and doing fun activities. Through her mentor support, J is establishing contacts in her local community, finding her way around and feeling safer on her local streets.
The mentor is also studying for a Homeless Mentoring accreditation with City of Bristol College and is gaining experience and confidence in the support role. She is now also applying to do a degree in social work.
If you are interested in becoming a Mentor or you feel that you would benefit from having a Mentor like J did, please look at the Horizons page within the "Our Services" menu.