I struggled with money when I left care, but financial support alone couldn't save me

. Just after I finished my first year of university, I was officially discharged and no longer the state’s responsibility. In the two years that followed, I experienced homelessness, sofa-surfed and took out payday loans which I am still paying off nearly 10 years later.with interest. Around 500 18-year-old care leavers will receive £1,280 every month. There are no strings attached to the money.

Before I became independent, I had just rented with university housemates and had part of my rent covered by the authorities. But things went south when my tenancy agreement for the first year ended. I ended up staying with one of my course mates for a few months as I didn’t have enough for a deposit to rent somewhere. That was a low point. I didn’t feel grounded or rooted. All my things were spread out with different people who I’d asked to look after bits and pieces as a favour.

I was doing all my coursework, but my attendance suffered. It was something embarrassing, like 20 per cent. I received regular emails that threatened to kick me off the course but I didn’t want to lose my job. Student finance didn’t feel like enough for me to live on. I had a meeting with my university, and we decided it was best that I retake the year. I left my job so I could focus and used payday loans and a credit card to help make ends meet. Truthfully, I didn’t understand what interest rates were, or what would happen if I fell behind on payments.

ipaperviews I don’t even want to read this. I can’t imagine how frightening it must be to be abandoned at 18 and expected to create a life out of nothing ❤️

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