Sharon is 25 and has been living on her own since she moved out of her mum’s when she was 18. Sandra used to work in a butcher shop during the week, which she really enjoyed, especially being the only woman working amongst all men. She liked seeing the animals hung up (which she hopes doesn’t sound too weird!). She also used to work in a chip shop, which she enjoyed too, ‘especially on the weekend when you could see all the drunk people’. She is currently signed off for the next 6 months but she’s looking forward to being able to work again and would like to put in for her security license for security work.
She also is interested in tattoo art, she has 18 tattoos, and is hoping her partner will get her a tattoo starter kit. She has been with her partner for over a year, they are happily engaged and looking forward to moving in together and having children. They hope to get married in 2015. Sandra is currently working with Spires to get her own accommodation and ideally would like a one bedroom flat.
Sandra has been on the streets twice and says it is really, really scary, ‘you don’t want to go to sleep at all, in case you get robbed’. She likes the shelter because she feels safe and the other guests and staff are friendly, ‘there are people here to support you, almost like a family, and there is always someone there to talk. It’s important for everyone to have someone to talk to.’
Sometimes, she can however, find the shelter a bit too much to handle, it can be busy and noisy, but if she listens to music, she can find a bit of personal space and feels better.