Grace’s story

Grace shared a room at home with her brother, until she reached an age where her parents felt it was inappropriate. For three years, she moved in with her grandmother and things seemed okay, but then her mother told Grace that she didn’t want her back at home ever again. Grace’s parents split up, so when her father went on holiday to Morocco she looked forward to some family time with him.

Sexual abuse

Grace’s father had a very different holiday in mind. He had agreed with his brother and step-brother that they could sexually abuse her. It was six weeks of hell. Soon after her return home, Grace‘s grandmother died. She was told that she had to move out, so Grace started to stay at friends’ houses or, when she couldn’t find anywhere safer, sleep in bus shelters. She was becoming desperate.

Not feeling scared

Fortunately, Grace was referred to Centrepoint. Her first reaction to seeing a warm, safe room with a comfortable bed was to cry – for the first time in years, she didn’t feel scared. Grace started to meet other young people with similar stories to hers and enjoyed having someone to talk to.

More than just a room

Grace has developed a good relationship with the staff at Centrepoint, especially her learning worker, who has involved her in a number of education workshops. In addition to her studies, Grace is learning basic life skills such as budgeting, paying bills and cooking.

Looking forward to the future

Grace is working hard to get into college full-time, with her ambition being to set up her own nursery and have her own place to live. She hopes to be completely self-sufficient this time next year.