“Someone to look out for you” – Destiny’s story

Destiny shares her journey through Sydney House, our supported housing service. Since leaving, she has got her own flat and has learnt how to better manage her mental health.

I went into Sydney House when I was 18 and was there for three years. I was in foster care previously, but was recommended a supported accomodation once I turned 18 because my mental health wasn’t the greatest. I live with severe depression, anxiety and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). I struggled with self-harm, so I wasn’t trusted to be in my own place at that point. Rethink’s Sydney House was the main option for me back then and I think it was a good idea for me to be there.

You could have good days and bad days in the house. On the good days, I’d be able to relax. On my bad days, I’d clean and go downstairs to be social as I wouldn’t want to be in my bedroom alone.

As the youngest in the house, I was pretty much looked after, no matter what. I did a lot of things by myself by the end of it, but at the start I didn’t want to do anything because of how bad my mental health was. I had a support worker, Tom, who was just amazing and looked after me. I’ll be honest, without Tom, I don’t think I’d still be here. He honestly made every day the best for me. 

While being in Sydney House, I was diagnosed with endometriosis and Tom really looked after me. He’d check on me every two hours, bring me water and hot water bottles because I couldn’t move. He made sure I took my medication, because I just didn’t want to do it. Honestly, the staff there were brilliant. I don’t think there’s a better team than them, they work together so well.

The staff were genuinely amazing and so helpful; even with the smallest of things, they’d help you. They helped me understand more of my mental health than anything else. They helped me access therapy, clean, walk, everything really. I was honestly so happy to have people like that in my life. I had every single birthday there, from 18 to 21. Every event, Christmas, my birthday, my mum’s anniversary, my mums birthday – the staff were always concerned for me. And I think that’s what you need in life – for someone to look out for you. I don’t think I could’ve asked for a better place.

I still see my support workers to this day. They’ve all come over to visit my new flat and have been so happy for me. I’ve done so well in this flat, too. I think I’ve become more empathtic and understanding whilst being in Sydney House. I’m more responsible and independent now. I still get depressed or anxious sometimes, but I don’t think it’s that bad anymore.