"When I first moved into Cyrenians I felt very nervous but very safe.
The positives about this are that I got to meet more people and learn new abilities (e.g. cooking and cleaning). I had friends a lot quicker than I did in (hostels) and we get to play pool with everybody in the community.

On a Tuesday after the Community Meeting we all go out socializing I think this is a very good positive because we are getting to know each other a lot better. There is a lot less staff in the Community compared to the amount of staff at (hostels) and you also get more of your own private space when you want."

"I am 17 years old am currently staying in the farm community. When I was 16 I became homeless because of family breakdown. I was fighting with my mum one night and she called the police due to her not being able to cope with my behaviour, I have a learning disability and at time I can become frustrated when I don't understand something properly this was the reason that the fighting happened on the evening with my mum when the police came they took me to my rest-bite (Seaview). Then from there I went to a B&B for one night, it was OK but cold, Then I ended up at Broomhouse supported accommodation where I stayed for 2 months, it was very horrible I didn't leave my room much as I was scared and frightened I had never been away from the family home other than being at rest bite where I new everyone as I had been going there since a young age, my mental health was starting to become low as I was on my own and had no family to look after me I found looking after myself very difficult as I couldn't work a cooker or use a microwave I lived on crisps and sandwiched for the 2 months I was there.

My social worker suggested to me that there was a place called Cyrenians farm community she explained to me what the community was and I liked the sound of it, she made a referral to the community and I came to visit the farm for an assessment, I thought it was great! Then I moved in a couple of weeks later. I like it here, I like living with the other young people and meeting volunteers from all different countries. Since being at the farm I have been given the chance to get involved in lots of things. I have been to college, cooking classes, and sometimes I help out on the farm.

I like doing cooking and staying out at my families. I love volunteering with Moveon, an organisation based in Edinburgh that helps people who are homeless if I hadn't come to the community I would not have had the chance to be involved in so many things to better myself and improve my confidence and self-esteem, I have weekly keywork sessions with my keyworker in the community I enjoy my keywork sessions as this is a good opportunity for me to have one to one time and work through any issues I have. My future goals are to be in my own tenancy with support and living an independent life, and having a positive relationship with my family because I love them dearly."