Support case studies
We operate many kinds of different housing-related support services, across five local authority areas. This page highlights some of our work.
Sycamore floating support service
Our Sycamore Service operates throughout Bridgend County Borough and aims to support people over 55 to remain living independently for as long as possible. Our service provides free housing-related support to anyone with an assessed need, regardless of where they live or who owns their home. Here’s Mrs Davies’ story…
Personal history
Mrs Davies was referred to our Sycamore Floating Support service in November 2020 by her social worker, who highlighted that she needed support to find more suitable accommodation. She has advanced dementia and has numerous health issues, including very limited mobility. She was living in a one-bedroom flat in an older person’s scheme in Bridgend and her son and daughter-in-law were providing her with round the clock care.
Her son and daughter-in-law both have learning disabilities and her son also had poor mentla health. As she requires so much care, her daughter-in-law was living with her but sleeping on the sofa whilst her son was going home every night to their flat. This has put pressure on their marriage over the years.
Support provided
Sarah, a support worker, supported the family to get on the housing register so they could live together, and they were soon awarded a two bedroom ground floor flat with level access. She supported them in setting up the tenancy and to ensure their finances were correct.
Sarah visited the new property with the family to explain how they are required to clean the property to ensure they don’t get any recharges at the end of the tenancy. Mrs Davies’ daughter-in-law doesn’t always understand what is being said and often called Sarah to get a better understanding of the situation.
A benefits check was carried out for the family, and they now feel able to manage their money and have access to the support they need to address their debt. They are receiving support to ensure they have everything they need to care for themselves and have access to health care when needed so they don’t have to wait for it.
A benefits check was carried out for the family, and they now feel able to manage their money and have access to the support they need to address their debt. They are recieving support to ensure they have everything they need to care for themselves and have access to health care when needed so they don’t have to wait for it.
Outcomes achieved
Financial support enabled her daughter-in-law to apply for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and gain funding for a new bed for the couple. Mrs Davies’ son was experiencing some issues with debt which he was also receiving support for. The family felt safe and supported to get onto the housing register and look for a more suitable property. They now feel able to manage their new accommodation and are not at risk of imminent homelessness.
Future plans
Mrs Davies and her family now live in accommodation together that suits their needs. The Davies family will continue to be supported by Sarah, primarily with budgeting, referral to debt advice and their ongoing PIP application.
“I wanted to thank your service for excellent support Sarah has provided to the Davies family in Bridgend. Sarah has worked really very hard with this family for many months and in a couple of weeks of time they will be moving to a lovely 2 bedroom property where they can all live together. It has been a difficult case but Sarah has been very patient and professional throughout and her wealth of knowledge about housing related issues and benefits is incredible.” Mrs Davies’ social worker
Cardiff Young Persons Project
Jake moved into Ty Mawr, Cardiff as part of our Young Persons Project in December 2024 after spending almost three years without a stable place to call home. During that time, he experienced homelessness, staying between friends’ sofas, hotels and hostels while trying to cope with the lasting effects of a difficult childhood, trauma and poor mental health.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what life was like before you moved into Ty Mawr?
My name is Jake, I’m 22 years old, and before moving into Ty Mawr my life had been very unsettled for a long time.
Growing up, I experienced a lot of trauma and instability. I was exposed to substance misuse from a very young age and experienced neglect, which had a lasting impact on my mental health.
Although I had been through a lot, I always wanted a different life. Deep down, I wanted somewhere safe to live, people I could trust and the chance to build a future I could be proud of.
Thinking back to those first few weeks, what do you remember being the biggest challenges when you first arrived?
The biggest challenge was accepting support.
I came to Ty Mawr carrying a lot of anger, anxiety and distrust. I didn’t think I needed help and I wasn’t easy to work with. In fact, I remember calling the project a prison and thinking the team were just trying to control me. Looking back now, I can see that my past experiences made it difficult for me to trust people who genuinely wanted to help.
I was also trying to cope with stopping cannabis, which affected my emotions and made my anxiety worse. I struggled with panic attacks without really understanding what they were, and I often reacted with frustration or anger when I felt overwhelmed. On top of that, I had financial problems from my past that prevented me from opening a bank account, which made moving forward even more difficult.
At the time, everything felt like a challenge. Looking back now, I realise those first few months were the start of changing my life.
Looking back over the last 18 months, what achievement are you most proud of?
Getting my own permanent home is definitely my biggest achievement. Looking around my flat now, I feel proud of what I’ve built. It’s somewhere I genuinely care about, and I’m determined to keep it that way. I also proved to myself that I could overcome problems that once felt impossible, including sorting out old debts that had stopped me from opening a bank account and moving forward with my life.
You’ve worked with the team here for quite a while now. How do you think the support from Hafod helped you get to where you are today?
At the beginning, I wasn’t interested in accepting any support.
The Support team stayed patient and consistent, even when I made things difficult. They supported me through cannabis withdrawal, helped me understand that the feelings I was experiencing were panic attacks and taught me ways to manage them. They also challenged me to think differently about how I reacted to situations and helped me gain control of my temper.
Over time, I started trusting them, and that’s when everything began to change. They also helped me rebuild my finances, which meant I could finally open a bank account and prepare properly for living independently.
I honestly believe they’ve helped shape me into a better person with stronger values and a much more positive outlook on life. You all never gave up on me, even when I gave them plenty of reasons to. You all saw potential in me before I could see it in myself.
Do you remember how you felt when you found out you were getting your own permanent home?
It felt unreal at first. After spending so long without stability, finally having somewhere that was mine gave me a sense of relief I’d never really experienced before. It made me realise that all the hard work had been worth it.
Moving into your own place is a big step, how have you found it so far?
The fact that I have support for a further 15 months has made me far more confident than I originally was.
The skills I learned while living at Ty Mawr gave me confidence. I know how to budget, keep on top of my responsibilities and recognise when I need support instead of letting things build up. I even learnt how to cook, which seemed impossible at the start. I thought I would be living on meal deals for the rest of my life!
Now that you’ve got your own place, what does having a home of your own mean to you?
It means security. For the first time in years, I have somewhere that feels like home instead of somewhere I’m just staying. It gives me privacy, independence and the chance to build the life I’ve always wanted. It’s something I value every day.
If someone was moving into Ty Mawr tomorrow feeling the way you did when you first arrived, what would you say to them?
Don’t judge it too quickly. When I first arrived, I pushed everyone away because I thought I knew better. If I’d carried on thinking like that, I probably wouldn’t be where I am now.
Be open to support, even if it’s difficult at first. The team aren’t there to tell you how to live your life; they’re there to help you build a good one.
Finally, what’s next for you? What are your hopes and goals for the future?
My biggest goal now is to keep moving forwards. I want to maintain my tenancy, continue making positive decisions and keep building the future I’ve worked so hard for. I know life will still have challenges, but now I believe I have the confidence and skills to deal with them.
For the first time, I’m genuinely excited about what comes next.