When I moved to Genus Care at 14, I was completely lost. I was scared, confused, and had no idea what my future was supposed to look like. Everything felt uncertain, and I didn’t trust that anything good would last. I was terrified of getting attached to the staff because in my past, the people who were meant to stay had either disappointed me or given up on me. All my life I had felt misunderstood. People were quick to tell me what I couldn’t do — that I wasn’t capable of achieving what I wanted, that I was “stupid for having such big dreams.” After hearing that enough times, you start to believe it. You start to make yourself smaller. So when I arrived, I built walls. I pushed everyone away. I refused help before it had the chance to be taken from me.

But Station Cottage was different. No matter how hard I tried to distance myself, not a single person gave up on me. The staff and managers stayed patient. They kept showing up. They pushed me to see what I was capable of, even when I couldn’t see it myself. For the first time, no one laughed at my dreams or told me to be realistic. Instead, they spoke about my future like it was something bright and possible. They believed in me until I slowly started believing in myself. They didn’t just support me — they helped me find myself again. They gave me my spark back.

The other young people there were part of my journey too. We didn’t always get along — sometimes we clashed, sometimes we argued — but they were like siblings to me. We were all carrying our own pain and our own stories, but we understood each other in a way no one else really could. No matter what was going on in our lives, we had each other. And I think that’s one of the most special things about Genus Care. It isn’t just a company. It’s a dysfunctional family — messy, loud, imperfect — but full of loyalty, understanding, and love.

Even now, at 20 years old, Genus is still there for me. The support didn’t end when I left. The Leaving Care Manager works all hours of the day making sure I have what I need, making sure I know there is always someone at the end of the phone when my life feels like it’s starting to crumble. That kind of consistency changes a person. I genuinely wouldn’t be half of who I am today without Genus Care. They didn’t just give me a place to stay — they gave me stability, belief, family, and the confidence to chase the big dreams I was once told I’d never achieve.