Julia immigrated to Edinburgh five years ago when she was 15 years old, with very little English language skills. She had to learn fast. Her first years in Scotland were very challenging and earlier  this year Julia needed to stay in council “temporary accommodation” with her 2.5 year old daughter.

Julia was working part-time as a cleaner, but as a lone-parent she struggled to get to shifts all of the time as her family couldn’t always care for the child. Also, as the cleaning hours were into the evening it was hard to find a childminder. Prior to that she worked casually in a restaurant.

Julia was recently offered a Housing Association flat. It had nothing at all in it. She had nothing to put in the flat except a bed and a few personal affects.

Bonnie, Julia’s Personal Advisor from Cyrenians Homeless Prevention Service assisted with applications to the Scottish Welfare Fund and cash grants. This was successful and she was awarded with:
curtains; electric cooker; fridge-freezer; bed for daughter; sofa; carpets and vinyl for floor of whole flat; pots, pans, utensils, bedding, and a kitchen table.

Bonnie assisted Julia with an online job application in a new field for her, care work and was also able to help Julia find a childminder so that she could work.

Julia’s council tax rate was corrected and support provided to pay some of her rent.

Julia now knows her new area and people who live near her. Being neighbourly she has helped others with English translation and they in turn have helped her to assemble new furniture in her flat.

After Julia’s online job application Julia has been invited for an interview for care work. She hopes to start work with this organisation which will increase her skills, her English and will be more sociable hours which will be cheaper and easier for accessing childcare and part-time study. Working in care also means she can earn a higher income than from cleaning work. This will enable her to have a higher income to assist her provide for her child.

Julia would like to work as a professional translator in the future.

Julia no longer requires support from Cyrenians and has been referred to a Health In Mind befriender. This means that she and her daughter will be able to make more links in the community in her new local area.

Julia is a very brave, resilient, hard-working person who has been through challenging times at a young age. She is striving to provide the best she can for her young child.