Homeless at christmas

Many of the residents living in the Chrysalis Project have been separated from their children and families; they come to us at the height of their crisis with nothing but the clothes they are wearing.

Some women have never experienced a happy family Christmas, so this time of year can remind a woman of loss and disappointment, as much as it might remind you or me of happy times and togetherness. The lead up to Christmas, watching everyone else get excited, and Christmas morning without your loved ones can be especially difficult.

One of our residents, S, aged 29, used to live with her daughter and her partner. He gradually became very abusive to her, and also brought drugs into the house. This eventually led to S losing her home and her daughter, who is now looked after by a family member.

Since then S has been through a lot, but is now taking the steps to move on and rebuild her life. S will have to find ways to cope with being alone on Christmas day and not being able to watch her young daughter open presents like lots of other mums will do. We as project workers are there to support her as best we can.

In the hostel we try to create an atmosphere that is warm and festive, but that also recognise that Christmas may be a very different experience for our residents than the happy, smiley one depicted on television.

In the lead up to Christmas, we decorate the hostel, get involved with festive crafts and make cards for loved ones. On Christmas day, residents and staff cook and eat a Christmas dinner together, we also give a present to each woman that will make her feel special.

In 2014, S and many of the women living in the Chrysalis Project will hopefully be supported to move on and start to rebuild their lives. S’s goal is to be reunited with her daughter and build a home in which she feels safe.

Recovery looks very different for each woman, whether it’s small steps such as attending a support group or huge achievements like securing accommodation and becoming a support worker to other people who’ve experienced homelessness, as was recently the case for one former resident.

Our residents are very strong women. It is always wonderful to see them move on and achieve their goals.

Ashleigh Haywood is a St Mungo’s project worker at the Chrysalis Project