Erewash Teenage Parents Service

Agatha*, aged 17, was referred to the Erewash Teenage Parents Service in 2021 by her health worker after learning that she was pregnant. Home life during the covid pandemic had become strained; 5 people in a small house, dad suffering long bouts of illness and losing his job all putting a strain on the family. After applying to the Service, Agatha was offered an interview and she was advised that she would be put on the waiting list, but was also advised from the outset that due to the housing crisis The Erewash TP service may not be able to support her before my baby was due and was given contact details for other local accommodation services that may be able to help. 

In April 2022, Agatha gave birth to a little boy. Not having anywhere permanent to live Agatha approached Housing options, only to be moved from hotel to hotel daily with all her belongings and those for her son. With no permanency Agatha’s own mental health began to suffer, she felt let down and that she was letting her son down.  

In March 2023 she was contacted by our Service with news that a property would soon be available if she still needed one – her response? Yes! Yes! Yes!   

A week before the scheduled move in date Agatha met with the Services housing officer and walked into what would be her new home, she said ‘it was all and more that I could have asked for.’  

Agatha moved into her new home a week later and 2 years on can say that with the help of our Accommodation Officer and the support network that has grown around her, she is going from strength to strength having gained the skills needed to move forward and is looking forward to moving to a more permanent home. 

Cases such as these really do show case the difference the right support at the right time can make to individuals, families, the wider community and savings to the NHS, wider public services, and the local authority.  

*Name has been changed for privacy