16/09/2026
At just 16, Akhida came to the UK from Bangladesh following an arranged marriage. She was young, far from home and adjusting to a new country, culture and language. But sadly, not long after arriving, her relationship became abusive.
Making the decision to leave was incredibly hard and fleeing the relationship meant Akhida found herself alone and facing homelessness. She turned to her local council for help, and they supported her to move into her own flat.
Once Akhida became settled, her social worker referred her to Centrepoint for floating support and she built a strong relationship with her Centrepoint key worker, Dushka.
Dushka supported her with practical challenges like budgeting, studying and navigating housing problems, including ongoing issues with mould and unsafe water.
But it wasn’t just the practical support that was so beneficial, it was also the personal support from Dushka that made such an impact on Akhida’s life. After leaving her marriage, some relatives treated Akhida differently, which deeply affected her mental health. She often felt judged and alone. “I was crying all the time… I felt so unvalued,” she says.
Not having her family’s support behind her, left her feeling that absence even more deeply. However, Dushka’s role as a parental figure, giving Akhida advice, treating her with kindness and listening without judgement, helped her to feel more at home.
“So, every moment I was feeling the absence of my parents, feeling that absence of not being in my home country and feeling so unvalued”.
“Dushka is the one who made me feel like I was home. She treated me like my mum, and I felt like I was speaking with someone who is my own person. Someone I can share everything and tell everything”.
Over time, Akhida’s confidence grew. She learned to manage her home and finances, navigate services, and build a more independent life. Today, she works full time as an office administrator and is planning her next steps.
Inspired by the social workers who supported her through some of the most difficult moments of her life, Akhida now wants to become one herself. She has completed a Level 3 qualification in health and social care and hopes to go to university in the future.
“I’ve always loved helping people… what they did for me is what inspired me.”
Looking back, she recognises how far she has come - from a young woman arriving in a new country with little support, to someone building a stable future and planning a career helping others.
Her advice to other young people going through difficult times comes from lived experience: “Listen to your heart… things will change. It might feel like the end of the world, but it is not the end. You will have a better life ahead.”
