I grew up around violence, mostly caused by my dad. My mum died in an accident when I was 13 and I lost what little I had. My dad got ill and couldn’t look after us so I went from childrens home to foster parents and back again.

Maybe because of my dad I found myself getting into abusive relationships. I started having children at 16 but because I was in these relationships they were all taken for adoption. By the time I was in my 20s I was taking drugs, I was depressed and just kept choosing the wrong men.

In 2012 I was living in a flat that was infested with rats the size of cats. The landlord did nothing. One night all my windows were put through. It was the last straw so I left.

I stayed in a tent in Bolton for 12 months until a friend got a flat and asked me to stay. I stayed for 3 months then I was back in a tent.

I met a guy and we got together and found a house but guess what? Yep, he turned out to be violent too. One night he nearly left me for dead. Thankfully he went to prison for what he did.

I turned to an old friend for support. He turned out to be my knight in shining armour. He was living on the streets of Manchester so I went to live rough with him.

Someone told us to go to the booth centre. We wanted to volunteer but couldn’t without an address. Staff at the booth centre helped us to get a place in a hotel. This gave us a base where we could get some rest and start sorting our lives out. We’re now trying to find somewhere permanent to live.

We’re getting loads of support from Booth Centre and put something back by volunteering. I’m really enjoying it because work makes me feel better about myself. I haven’t taken drugs for ages now and am trying to recover from my depression one day at a time. I feel more hopeful than I have done for years.