Rossie proved to be a big part of my life, as I was there for four years. It was very much my home, but I didn’t realise towards the end that I really needed to move on. Fortunately, others realised that and made arrangements for me to go to a new placement in Newcastle. It happened very quickly, and although I didn’t appreciate it at the time, looking back it was the right thing to do.
I stayed at the care home in Newcastle for about a year and made good progress. It helped prepare me further for independence, but then I moved to my sister’s house. She had also been in care and, being older than me, helped me to realise that it was time for me to mature, grow up, and learn to be more independent. I owe a lot to my sister, as I recognise that she had setbacks but came through them. My sister is now 24, finally settled, and more comfortable with money, savings, and a car as well as a place to live.
Being at Rossie was like being in a big family. The staff there did so much for me, but I know now that I hadn’t really grown up and was still pretty immature then…I did give everyone a hard time on occasions. Nevertheless, I owe so much to them, and now know that living at Rossie changed my life for the better during those difficult years between when I was 12–16. I know that if I hadn’t been at Rossie, I don’t think I would be here today.
Looking to the future, I’m now looking for work, and would love to be involved in the care of the elderly. Some aspects of my difficult past has been holding me back in getting work, but I expect that to end soon, which will make it easier for me to find employment. I’m also interested in either joining the police or care work in the future.
But I will never forget the relationships I had with the staff at Rossie, who did their best to look after me. My hat goes off to them, as I don’t know how they do it, how they keep giving every day.