Leandra* is an ambitious eighteen-year-old, who has recently left Centrepoint Hillyard Street, in Brixton. The youngest of five children she first left home when she was placed in care at the age of three. She returned briefly to live with her mother, brother and sisters at the age of eleven, but her mother was rarely home and she clashed with her siblings. She permanently left home at twelve to live with a friend and her family.

A model has been used to protect Leandra's privacy

In her short life, she has faced a lot of upheaval. Her mother travelled a lot when she was younger and she doesn’t remember her parents living together. She recently discovered that her father was violently abusive towards her mother – he died of a drug overdose when Leandra was thirteen, having been a cocaine addict for years. Shortly after his death, Leandra had to move to a foster home, as her friend’s mother could no longer afford to support her. This home was in another part of London, where she was further away from school. She became disruptive in class and stopped going to school altogether when she was told to leave or be expelled.

Without the discipline of school, she then began to spend her time with a bad crowd and her life began to spiral downwards. Encouraged and persuaded by older people, Leandra admits to becoming involved in street crime and drugs. All she wanted was to belong but she now realises that people often took advantage of her. At fifteen, Leandra was arrested – for an offence that she hadn’t taken part in – but her lawyer feared that she faced a 3-year prison sentence. Eventually, the case was thrown out of court and this marked a real turning point in Leandra’s life. She knew she had to make changes and decided it was time she resumed her education to help find a way forward.

Your continuing support means that we can help so many more young people to turn their lives around.

Like most care leavers, Leandra left school with no qualifications; in fact she hadn’t attended for three years. Nonetheless, she began to study Music Technology and IT, alongside her Maths and English GCSEs.

When her relationship with her foster carer broke down she was offered a place at Centrepoint Hillyard Street, supported accommodation that Centrepoint provides especially for young care leavers. She settled in very quickly and with the invaluable help of Stephanie, her Housing Officer, who Leandra describes as, ‘just the best’, she settled down to studying.

Leandra enjoyed living at Centrepoint Hillyard Street, in a happy, quiet and safe environment, with Stephanie always on hand to offer help and support. Stephanie helped her successfully apply for an award from the Princes Trust; as well as help with her benefits, coursework and computer skills. Leandra says that having the support of Stephanie and being around young people who were just like her was what she needed.

Leandra lived at Centrepoint Hillyard Street for over 18 months before she was ready to move on to living on her own. Again, with the help of Stephanie, she managed to secure her own flat. Leandra says that if she hadn’t come to Centrepoint she would have ended up in a large hostel with hundreds of other people. Her need for continuing support in preparation for independent living would have been ignored and this would have proved a huge blow to her motivation. Even though she has now left Centrepoint, we still offer Leandra support, inviting her to events and to go on trips.

Leandra’s hard work over the past few years has taken her from drugs, street crime and uncertainty, to university and a bright future. She’s been determined to turn her life around and Centrepoint was glad to support her in her decisions. She is now a mature young woman, who is remarkably sensible and driven to do well. Ultimately, she wants to work in the music business and she even wants to set up her own company.

Every day, Centrepoint works with young care leavers, helping them to plan a permanent and stable future, free from upheaval. We encourage them to make positive choices and assist with education, training and employment opportunities; and in developing skills to encourage a fulfilling life. We help so many young people who are determined to do something positive with their lives. Our work is only possible through the support of individuals such as yourself and we really need your help in making sure that other young people in need of support can build a more positive future for themselves.

Leandra’s story shows how your donations can make a real difference. Will you give a gift of £15 to help a young care leaver like Leandra?

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*Leandra's name has been changed to protect her identity