Kerry’s Story

In this article Kerry, a resident of Elizabeth Fry House talks about the benefits of having a specialist Housing Worker employed by the Charity. Emma’s role is to support residents to identify suitable and safe move on accommodation.

Kerry had served a lengthy prison sentence prior to being released to Elizabeth Fry House. She describes the staff as “brilliant and genuinely caring”. Kerry explains this as a softer release into the community, where it’s possible to set things up for moving forwards.

At Elizabeth Fry, Kerry accesses weekly substance use support and psychotherapy sessions. She has completed Restorative Life Skills and Healing from Trauma courses.

As well as engaging with her Placement Supervisor, Kerry meets regularly with Emma, the Charity’s Housing & Link Worker. She explains the impact that having access to this support has had:

“The stress of getting accommodation escalates my EUPD and anxiety and would drive me to drink. Emma is approachable and helps us emotionally regulate, with calm reasoning, when I’m worried and helps me understand language and jargon that would have left me feeling hopeless.”

Kerry is currently in Elizabeth Fry’s one accessible room which is needed for another resident so temporary accommodation has been requested for her. Kerry decided to try and live nearer the Approved Premises, where she is connected to former residents who she knows have found work.

“We don’t know how to fight the fight that Emma does for us. She does everything she can to get us the support we need, banging our heads against walls, liaising with Councils as we face delays and a lot of uncertainty. She knows what she’s talking about. Without Emma, a lot of us would be on the streets or recalled. Everyone is very appreciative of Emma.”