When I moved back to Swansea and most of my friends had moved on, I started feeling lonely and unhappy.  I didn’t leave the house for months. And the more I stayed put, the more afraid I became...

I heard about Connect from a neighbour. He told me I should try to come along, so I asked my GP to refer me. 

The first few times I went, I sat alone and didn’t move or talk all day. People sensed I didn’t want to be bothered and let me be. After a few visits, I started feeling more comfortable. and people started asking me to come and join in.

As I made friends and my confidence grew, I decided to try the art and pottery classes and oved them! I hadn’t done anything like that since school and it felt amazing when my stuff was exhibited at Swansea Museum.

When Lisa (19) was referred to our floating support scheme by her Local Authority, her rent was already well in arrears...

Our support worker helped her to identify the reasons behind this and worked with her to help turn things around.

It was only when Lorraine (20) and her two young children were physically threatened by their neighbours that she realised she had to ask for help...

A vulnerable single parent, Lorraine was already dealing

with mental health problems due to early trauma as well as poor budgeting skills and employment prospects.  She also had problems coping with her elder child’s behavioural difficulties. Her Housing Officer saw the problems she was facing and referred her to us.

In November 2006, Caer Las were approached by BBC Radio Wales to host a phone-in programme dealing with attitudes to homelessness.

Research had shown that 50% of the public thought homelessness was a personal choice and most would prefer to give money to animal rather than homelessness charities.

We invited a broad cross-section of our clients to attend the live debate at Access Point. A local homelessness solicitor came along and it was hosted by Richard Evans from BBC Radio Wales.