Cameron was 16 when he first experienced homelessness. He initially sought help from the council but said delays and complex paperwork made it difficult to access support.

During this period, he stayed with his aunt while trying to navigate the process of getting support. He said, “I found the process really difficult as a young person, especially when it’s [feels] so overwhelming”. He also had to complete forms linked to parental responsibility arrangements, which he said added more pressure during an already unstable period.

Then, aged 17, he moved into Centrepoint’s supported accommodation, which he described as a turning point.

Alongside housing support, he received education and employment help, including tutoring in maths and English to complete qualifications. His key worker, Lee, helped him develop budgeting, planning and goal-setting skills to prepare him for living independently.

He said this guidance helped him stay focused during difficult periods. “You can’t stop now, can you,” he recalled being told, adding that the encouragement from Centrepoint staff kept him motivated and positive during times of uncertainty.

He was already working in restaurants and continued to build experience while studying, often balancing long shifts with learning sessions and coursework commitments.

In 2021, he received a Centrepoint Award, which he said recognised his progress and boosted his confidence. “I won the Career Progression Award, since I was able to overcome everything and not let anything affect me,” he said, describing it as an important milestone in his journey and future aspirations.

He now lives in his own flat and says the stability has been life changing,........

© Norwich Evening News