“Just before the first lockdown in March 2020 I split up with my partner and he left the marital home in Newark. It would mean that I was left alone in the house which I couldn’t afford on a single income. Having felt secure for so long, suddenly I was in the scary situation where I could end up homeless.

“I had always been aware of shared ownership but was concerned that I couldn’t afford to buy on my own. However, I thought it was worth looking into so I went onto the GOV.UK site to complete a shared ownership application form.

“I was really happy to be accepted as eligible and contacted Riverside. I was quickly contacted back by someone in the Riverside Home Ownership team and they advised there were two properties available in Radcliffe on Trent. I had lived in Newark for many years but knew of Radcliffe because I used to drive through it on the way to Nottingham Forest games. With grown up kids I knew I didn’t have to worry about doing the school run and I could drive to work and back from there.

“I just had a good hunch about this house with Riverside so I took the plunge and went to view the house and I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was. I reserved it straightaway!

“The Riverside staff I’ve dealt with have been great. I’ve felt throughout this process that they’ve been very accessible particularly because I work during the day and there were a couple of times we spoke in the evenings.

“Getting this new house – it’s changed my life. It’s meant I can continue to be myself and afford to live and be my own woman without having to rely on anybody. It’s a very welcoming and thriving community because everyone is “new” it feels like we’re all in it together.”

“I think a lot of people just don’t realise shared ownership is an option. I would say go for it, you can really get your foot on the ladder no matter your age and there are people like Riverside who will go out of their way to help you achieve what you’re meant to achieve.”