Phillip, a care leaver who wasn’t enjoying his university course, arrived at Cangle Foyer in Suffolk in September 2015. 

After completing a 12-week programme with the Prince’s Trust team, Phillip was offered work experience at the local Jobcentre, which gave him the confidence to apply for new vacancies. 

He soon gained permanent employment at a bookmaker’s. Phillip has worked there for over seven months now and often wins employee of the week. 

At the beginning of July, once he’d finished his support plan, Phillip moved into a Riverside general-needs flat with his girlfriend, Chloe. 

Phillip is thankful to the support staff at Cangle Foyer for encouraging him try new things. He is now busy decorating his flat on his days off from work and is looking forward to his future with Chloe.

During the first quarter of 2016, Riverside Care and Support has moved on 25 people to independent accommodation in Cambridge.

The support staff worked hard to ensure their moves were seamless, with funding and furniture from Church Houses Trust and various other sources.

One of those who moved on was Elaine Downes. She became homeless over a year ago and moved into The Springs after a spell of sofa surfing.

She has fibromyalgia and chronic back issues, which worsened due to the stress of her situation. 

Elaine registered with Riverside’s choice-based lettings scheme and, after support from staff to get her application prioritised, Cambridge City Council offered her a flat.

Elaine was delighted and said: “A weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”

Since moving she has reported feeling much more secure, relaxed and happy. Without Riverside’s supported accommodation, the support staff and the many charities that contribute to resettlement, Elaine would have had a great struggle to get back on her feet.