Success Stories

Amina

We are really proud of past resident Amina, 19. Two years after first coming into contact with The Ark Charity, Amina is now living independently and making progress towards her chosen career.

Amina moved to Ark House in June 2007 after finding herself homeless. Amina had trouble getting on with her mum and like many young people, the decision was made that it was best for her to move out.

During her time at Ark House, Amina joined Milton Keynes College and passed courses in Entry to Employment and Art, Design and Media. Amina was voted to be a Student Representative of the latter course and was instrumental in changing the name of the module to ‘Art and Design’ and the creation of a separate Media course. Amina was also a member of the Ark Council, and says she is very glad she took on these roles as they helped her to gain in confidence and to make a difference.

Amina did really well at Ark House and in March 2008 was recommended for one of our Move On properties in Two Mile Ash. Amina lived in this flat for just under a year and is now living in independent council accommodation. Amina is just about to start her second year of hairdressing studies at Milton Keynes College and with the help of her Floating Support worker, Lolly, she is certain she will reach her goal of working in a hairdressing salon.

It hasn’t always been easy. “At Ark House, everything was taken care of and I felt supported. But living on your own is difficult– I have to pay bills, manage my spare money and budget for food and bus fares to college. But I feel I have come a long way. Sue and the team at Ark House helped me so much and now Lolly is always available for me when I need her.”

Kirsty

Everyone at the Ark is really impressed with the progress made by Kirsty, now aged 18. Despite having more than her fair share of setbacks in life, Kirsty is now living independently and with two years of volunteer reception and administration experience, she is looking for her first paid job.

Aged just 16, Kirsty found herself living with her older sister due to a breakdown in her family. Kirsty was referred to The Ark by Connexions in 2006 and she moved into Ark House shortly after. Although the surroundings were unfamiliar and Ark House had its own inevitable stresses, Kirsty says the move was a positive one. “It was easier living with lots of people – there was always someone to talk to and everyone understood my problems.”

“If it wasn’t for Ark House, I don’t know where I would be now. The staff were like the family I didn’t have – Sue constantly tries to help you progress, plus she makes sure you are washed and fed every day! Joan is always there to listen to your problems and Corinna is great at motivating you to enrol in a course or do your college work. The staff make sure you are involved in something and you are never allowed to let life pass you by.”

Soon after moving into Ark House, Kirsty began some work based training at the Christian Foundation, which is also based in Wolverton. Kirsty speaks very highly of the Christian Foundation, and would encourage any other young people in the area to get in touch - “The Christian Foundation offers all sorts of courses and can help you to gain experience and confidence before going out to get a proper job.”

Kirsty will freely admit that she had her ups and downs while at Ark House – “I drank a lot,” she says, “but I soon realised that I was making the same mistakes as my family and I didn’t want that.” Kirsty made such progress at Ark House that she was moved into one of our move on flats at Two Mile Ash in 2008. “The freedom was great,” she says, although she confesses that she did initially experience some difficulties with adapting to her new independent lifestyle at the flat. “I was going out a lot and had a few late parties –but I realised that in order to maintain my tenancy I would have to behave well, pay my bills and progress with my training. I knew I couldn’t do that if I partied all the time so I stopped going out so much. It was hard to cope at time but I managed to budget well and now I help my friends when they say they are having the same problems I did.”

With help and advice from her support worker, Joy, Kirsty soon adjusted and became a model tenant. Joy is really proud of Kirsty and is pleased she has come such a long way. “I really hope Kirsty gets a job soon as she does deserve it – she is an enthusiastic worker and would make a great addition to any team.”

Kirsty’s ability to apply herself to her work and to prioritise the important things in life has stood her in good stead. Kirsty was recently moved into her own council flat and is living independently. “I always pay my bills on time,” Kirsty says. “It comes naturally to me now. I know that in the long run it is far easier to budget well and pay things on time. It may leave less money for going out but I am happy in my flat now and I want to keep it that way. I will never forget the difference that the Ark made to my life and I don’t want to waste it.”

Past residents have often taken the time to express to us just what The Ark Charity meant to them. Here are some quotes from letters and cards received over the years.

“Dearest Sue

Where do I start? I have not been in touch for so long but I have been really busy…. Since leaving the flats I have come a very long way. …

I have my driving test in a few days and have bought a car…. I have also bought a house, it is shared ownership but is in a nice quiet cul-de-sac location….

Work has gone well for me over the years; I have built up my way in the sales profession and now have a well-established job earning a good wage. Not what I want to do forever though… I have been looking into a few different areas with regards to my career progression. I’m not sure if you remember but I always wanted to get involved in some kind of law studies. I have decided to start studying family law… I want to do something to help people the way I was helped.

It would be really great if we could meet for lunch one day or I could pop to the Ark and have a chat with you.”

“To all staff

I just want to thank you for my amazing stay so far, I really appreciate everything everyone has done for me and for making the Ark my home. I feel as though I have matured a lot and all staff have contributed to that. I know I have had a few spats and I want to apologise but no-one’s perfect. I hope to keep contact with you as I grow up, you are all like family to me which is nice as my family don’t speak to me apart from a few people but you have filled this void.

I hope the Ark stays on forever and when I’m well off as an accountant I will donate a lot of money here as it is so amazing and helpful and not at all like a hostel.

Thank you everyone, you are all so amazing and I love you all.”

“Dear all

I am writing this letter as I wanted to thank you properly and maybe give you something other than memories to remember me by.

Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me. I’m just so happy and grateful for all the lessons I learnt and shared with you all – even frying an egg!

I’m going to miss being in the house so much.”

“Dear Sue

I met you around my 16th birthday, I was mixed up about life, lonely and emotional. I had a lot of problems and felt as if nobody wanted anything to do with me. Isolated and angry inside, I was invited in by you…. My family life as I knew it was turned upside down. I was depressed and unsure about everything. The Ark became my home for approximately a year… In that time I had a lot of support, comfort and security. I continued with my education and made some true friends…..

You help me through some seriously emotional times with my family, your kind words and sound advice along with your patience with stay with me for life….

Recently the Ark has helped me budget, sort out my bills and get on top of my debts. You showed me a way through. You made me who I am today, a capable mother of two lovely boys who I am extremely proud of.”

“I am writing to let you know I lived in the Ark when I was 16 and I am doing really well. I just finished a teaching course at university and I am engaged.

Thank you for all your support when I was staying at the Ark, as I managed to get my GCSEs there and went onto college and uni.

Despite the hard set back in life, I have done well. I had many good times at the Ark. I do hope you remember me, as I remember you.”

Poetry

Some of our past residents and service users have been through terrible experiences in their early lives. One of these young people, Michaela, has written some poetry reflecting on how life has treated her. Some examples of her work are below.

We feel poetry is an excellent way of expressing emotions, and we are very proud that Michaela is now at the stage where she can write freely about her past.

Butterfly

Red, green, blue, a flash of colour.

A beat of your wings.

A gentle kiss as you land on my face, it warms my heart.

Red, green, blue, a flash of colour, a beat of your wing and you have gone.

Starlight

Littlest star in the night sky, the sky so black like black velvet.

You shine so bright in the velvet sky like a diamond with your heart warming starlight.

Littlest star, you watch all that goes on in this mad world.

You sit there in the darkness with your non-judgmental rays of starlight for comfort.

I wonder what you see.

Littlest star, is it just you and me.

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