Leah moved into supported accommodation with Moving On Durham in August 2024. Upon arrival it became clear that Leah had experienced a challenging upbringing, having spent most of her childhood within a children’s home. This background had significantly impacted her ability to trust others, particularly authority figures and support workers.
When she first met with her support worker she presented herself as guarded and wary. She was polite and distant, maintaining minimal eye contact and keeping conversations short. It was apparent that Leah had limited experience with stable adult relationships and struggled to understand the dynamics of a healthy, respectful partnership. She disclosed regular arguments and conflicts with her current partner which sometimes involved verbal and emotional aggression from both sides.
Despite these challenges, Leah showed resilience and a desire for a better future. Her recent discovery of her pregnancy seemed to have triggered a shift in her mindset. Both she and her partner expressed excitement about becoming parents, although their relationship remained unstable.
The initial focus of her support worker was building rapport and establishing a foundation of trust. They approached Leah with empathy, consistency, transparency and respecting her boundaries while gently encouraging communication. They emphasised that their role was to support her in achieving her goals, not to judge or control her.
Important parts of this process included relationship support, where they introduced the idea of healthy relationships through informal conversations and using visual aids and resources from domestic abuse services.
Another was parenting support, given Leah’s pregnancy she was supported in accessing midwifery services. Leah showed an interested in learning how to provide a different upbringing for her child than what she experienced.
Emotional wellbeing support was also prioritised as her support worker encouraged her to engage with mental health services to begin unpacking some of her past trauma. Leah agreed to speak with a counsellor but has since disengaged with the service. Her support worker is moving to get her re-referred to this support.
Lastly, her support worker is assisting her in gaining independent living skills. Leah had limited experience with managing finances, cooking and cleaning. Her support worker developed a weekly support plan to help her build these skills gradually and increase her confidence.
While Leah continues to struggle with some aspects of her relationship and past trauma, she has made noticeable progress. She now attends all support appointments regularly and has begun preparing for her baby’s arrival with enthusiasm. Her flat conditions are improving and she recently created a budget plan with support. Leah is beginning to envision a different future for herself and her child.