Mustafa remembers feeling very anxious when he moved into his MySpace apartment.
Like all tenants, Mustafa was helped to feel at home, with a move-in pack. This includes essentials like a fridge, washing machine, a bed, sofa, cutlery, crockery, cooking pans and glasses. He also had some of his own things to create a familiar space.
“I was anxious at first, scared. It took a few weeks before I felt safe. I have nice neighbours here, we take-in parcels for each other and at Christmas I put-up decorations.
“I see my housing support officer, Kat, every Monday. I met her before I moved in and she has been really kind. She helps me fill-in forms and checks that I have taken my medication and eaten regularly, because I am diabetic.”
As well as providing housing support, Kat has helped Mustafa access help with his mental health and liaises with other sources of help, such as the local enablement service. With a background including a frightening period of homelessness, Mustafa is slowly gaining in confidence and revealing a great sense of humour.
During her weekly visits, Kat and Mustafa discuss support goals. A previous goal was to organise an internet service in his new home. That has been achieved and a new goal is to obtain a laptop.
After decorating his own home at Christmas, the tenant also volunteered to add a festive touch to the nearby MySpace hub, which provides an office base for housing support officers like Kat as well as a location for group support sessions.
“MySpace care about me. I feel happy and safe now.”
