Ayse’s story

OWL: achieving a university dream

WITH mum living overseas and suffering domestic abuse from her father, Ayse came to the Our Way Leeds (OWL) Emergency Accommodation (Seacole), run by Turning Lives Around in Spring 2022.

Aged 17, she had a dream – to complete her education and go on to university but she had no family support in the UK, was socially isolated and struggled with her sleep.

Ayse initially lived in the short-term accommodation with her own bedroom and sharing kitchen and bathroom facilities with other residents, but when one of the self-contained flats became available, she moved across.

Here she was able to develop her independent living skills, attend college and work part-time while also benefitting from the help and consistency given by support workers. This included supporting her with healthy sleep routines such as by providing regular wake-up calls to ensure prompt attendance at college. They also created a suitable environment for college work and helped Ayse establish a balance between studying and ‘down’ time encouraging her to schedule in breaks and go for walks so she didn’t get overwhelmed or stressed.

Ayse stayed at OWL Emergency Accommodation for about two and a half years which is longer than usual but stability while she studied was essential if she was to realise her dream. TLA colleagues worked with Leeds Housing Options and commissioners to enable Ayse to stay at OWL Emergency Accommodation while also helping her to apply both for university and student finance.

Ayse worked extremely hard and it paid off. In August she received the news that she’d achieved A, B and C grades in her A levels and had been accepted into Liverpool University to study politics. No one was prouder and more excited for her than the team at OWL Emergency Accommodation and colleagues who had witnessed her development, commitment and effort in achieving her goal.

Their support is fully appreciated by Ayse. Thanking them she said: “Your warmth and kindness have made Seacole feel like a true home. I am so grateful for everything you have done to turn my life around. I will miss you all very much.”