Hannah is one of Fairoak’s longest standing tenants, having moved into a supported living apartment in south Cumbria in 2013.
“Before then I lived in my own flat in Carlisle for around three years, which was great. But I had problems with my ex-boyfriend and eventually I lost my flat, which wasn’t so great.”
“After that, I moved to a refuge in Kendal because I needed to get away from him and be safe, and I stayed there for nearly a year.”
Staff at the refuge recommended that Hannah get in touch with Fairoak and find out about supported accommodation.
“After applying, I thought I would be on the waiting list for years. I was told about some new flats that were being built in Kendal and they sounded really nice, but I didn’t think I’d be able to get one.”
“And then when I got a letter through saying that I’d been accepted, I thought ‘wow, is this true?’, I couldn’t believe it.”
“I got to pick my own kitchen worktops, my own flooring, my own curtains. Before I moved in, we [myself and Fairoak staff] had a session looking at colours and what might go together. I’d never had the opportunity to do anything like that before, I really loved it. It felt really good moving into a home where I had chosen everything.”
But Hannah admits that when she first moved in that she didn’t really like it: “I think it was because I lived with six other people [in the refuge] and all of a sudden I was in a flat by myself. I felt a bit sad about leaving as I’d made some really good friends there.”
“I liked having my own bathroom, my own living room, my own kitchen but it did feel strange at first being by myself.”
As the apartments were completely new, there were other tenants just moving in as well, some of whom were also feeling a little bit nervous about having their own flat: “I think we all took a while to get used to it, but me and all the tenants in the building became friends.”
“When I moved in, I wasn’t really sure about housing benefit and how to pay my gas and electricity bills. Fairoak helped me with this and still do. If I get a letter, I don’t understand I know I can go to the office and somebody will explain it and help me to pay the bill or complete the form.”
“They also help when something happens in the flat. If something isn’t working someone will come and look at it, if they can’t fix it, they will make sure they get someone in as soon as possible.”
“I like that they are in an office downstairs and I can go and see them whenever I want.”
“Fairoak are always there for me when I need them.”
Hannah keeps herself busy with social activities and working in one of the town’s charity shops, something she really enjoys. She is also a member of our tenant board which helps make decisions about how Fairoak is run.
“I really enjoy the trips and activities that Fairoak do. The ten-pin bowling was good, and I really liked the ghost walk we did in Keswick last year.”
Alison Barnes is the Tenant Engagement Officer at Fairoak: “Hannah was understandably very quiet when she first became a Fairoak tenant, but we’ve all seen her confidence grow over the years, there’s been quite a transformation.”
“I like to take part in the activities that Fairoak arrange. I sometimes help them arrange these as part of my role as a tenant Board member. I think this has helped me to grow in confidence, I wouldn’t have been able to do this ten years ago.”
“I like to help people in my block. I went shopping for one of my neighbours when they were unwell and helped another one up and down the stairs when he broke his foot.”
Naturally there are things that Hannah has found hard about being a Fairoak tenant, mainly changes in staff over the years: “I found that hard, when people have left. People who have been here a while and I like, it’s hard if they leave.”
Hannah moved from her flat to a bigger one on the top floor in 2017, “I’ve decorated my flat and made it my home.”
Having her own flat isn’t always easy for Hannah and, just like us all, she’s not too keen on the household chores that need to be done.
“Fairoak helped me by getting me a cleaner who comes once a week, but she doesn’t just clean; she shows me how to clean and keep my flat looking tidy and presentable. She helped me sort out the racks for all my CDs and DVDs, so that’s a lot better now.”
Alison Barnes concludes: “The Hannah that came to Fairoak back in 2013 is a very different woman than the Hannah we know today. We may have been able to facilitate social events and support her when she needed, but this growth in confidence is something she has achieved herself.”
“We can only do so much; the rest is all down to Hannah.”
