Written by Hasina
Before coming to Horton’s Bradford Temporary Accommodation Service (BTAS), life felt unstable, overwhelming, and uncertain.
In April 2023, I was experiencing homelessness with my six children. Every day brought fear and uncertainty. We moved from place to place without any real sense of security or stability. It was an extremely difficult time emotionally and practically, as I was trying to care for my children while carrying the stress, fear, and exhaustion of not knowing what tomorrow would bring.
In May 2023, I received support from Horton’s BTAS, and slowly our lives began to change for the better. I was provided with temporary accommodation, and little by little, stability returned to our lives. Having a safe place to stay made a huge difference. It gave me the space to breathe, think clearly, and begin rebuilding our future step by step.
I also felt genuinely supported by the people around me, which helped me feel less alone during one of the hardest periods of my life.
Today, being in my home feels like a blessing I never take for granted. It is safe, peaceful, and stable. After experiencing homelessness, even simple things like having a place to cook, sleep, and properly care for my children feel deeply valuable.
Through this journey, I learned a great deal about myself. I discovered strength I never realised I had. I learned patience, resilience, and the importance of keeping faith during hardship. Most importantly, I learned that even in the darkest moments, my Islamic faith sends me help in ways I do not expect — through people, through moments, and even through hardship itself.
What I am most proud of is that I kept going for my children. Even when life became extremely difficult, I did not give up. I continued moving forward one step at a time. I stayed strong during a time that could easily have broken me.
Now, in my daily life, I appreciate the simple things. I focus on my children, spending quality time with them and creating a peaceful home environment. I value quiet moments, reflection, and gratitude for how far we have come.
Looking ahead, my goal is to continue building a stable and better future for my children. I want to improve our situation further and create a life where my children always feel secure, supported, and happy.
I am also deeply grateful to the team at BTAS who became a means of help during this journey.
The journey from April 2023 to February 2026 was not easy. But it changed me. It taught me patience. It taught me strength. And it brought me closer to my faith.
And now, I have a beautiful home.