It was up and down with my parents: I didn't see them a lot as they were always working. I am the youngest of nine, and all nine of us were living at home, so it was really cramped.
By the time I was 15, everyone was arguing too much, smoking and drinking all the time. I had sleepless nights so when I was at school I couldn't take it in. The school complained that I was sleeping in class and my homework wasn't the best – and at GCSE time you want the best grade you can come out with.
It was tricky. So I went to live with close friends; they lived two minutes away from where I lived. I stayed there from 15 until I was 19. Some nights you could hear the arguments coming from my parents' house. I would go and tell them to shut up because they were making too much noise.
It was good living with my friends. The daughter and I went to college together, did the same course and got the same grades. The two of us are still close friends. It ended because they were downsizing to somewhere with two bedrooms. I went to the housing office and they told me about Centrepoint. I have stayed in one of their hostels for the past year.
I have done the Workwise programme. Basically, it is two weeks of training and then a work placement. I had been at college when I was living at my friend's, doing a BTec in information and communications technology. But I wasn't settled so I decided to take a gap year. Then I decided I wanted to start work, to see what it's like to be in a work environment.
At Workwise you do workshops on communication skills, interview skills, researching the company, CV, covering letters. That's the training part and then you have the work placements. The first time, I worked at Gap for two weeks.
Centrepoint helps young people open their minds and gives them a better understanding as to what the outside world is. It has helped me to cope a lot as it has calmed me down, settled back into life again, and made me think my life is worth something, that I can progress. Before, I wanted to give up. I thought: my life is ended here. But Centrepoint has helped me to get myself back on track and helped me push to where I want to be.
The learning team are always saying to me: "You can do it." Before I came to Centrepoint I was always starting something but not finishing it. My college used to be three days a week and I would just do two and forget the last day. Centrepoint, though, they want to get the best out of you.
Jodie is an assumed name.
Interviewed by Sue George.
Christmas cheer
Like Jodie, Amy has been able to move away from her difficult past thanks to Centrepoint
Amy had been physically abused by members of her family for years. But it was only when her bruises were spotted, and she took an overdose, that Social Services referred her to Centrepoint. She was given a warm, secure room, and support and advice to help her turn her life around.
But there are plenty of young people in a similar situation to Amy who still need all the help and guidance Centrepoint can provide. This year, at least 78,000 young people have slept rough. Centrepoint wants to give 513 young people a room this Christmas and it needs your help. Centrepoint's Home for Christmas campaign is seeking donations. Your money can help young people like Amy get off the streets, and into a safe and secure room over the festive season.
For £15 you could provide a homeless young person like Amy with Christmas dinner and a warm, safe bed for the night; £105 would give a young person hot meals and a bed for the whole of Christmas week.
To find out more and to donate, visit centrepointchristmas.org.uk/xmas
For other ways to support homeless young people at Christmas, visit centrepointgifts.org.uk/xmas and centrepointroom.org.uk/xmas
