From Rock Bottom to a Fresh Start: Jord’s Journey to Independence!

Jord’s journey has been anything but easy. She became homeless after escaping a long-term abusive relationship, one marked by coercive control and emotional trauma. “I didn’t even realise it was abuse for a long time."

“I was being controlled, isolated, and slowly broken down. I had some truly awful stuff done to me. Something happened that was a step too far, and I knew enough was enough, I had to go to the police. So, I took the first move and walked into a café and asked the lady to take me to the police station. Three hours later, he was arrested.”

After fleeing the relationship, Jord was left without a safe place to stay. She had nowhere to go and no stability, moving around from caravan to hotel. But things began to change when the council referred her to Arc in Bridgwater. That’s where she met Julie, her Arc support worker, who made an instant impact.

“Julie was amazing. She really drummed it into me that I had to save money and focus if I wanted a better future and to move forward.”

Jord committed herself to turning things around. She paid her rent on time, started to rebuild her mental health, and took Julie’s advice to heart. “As soon as I moved into Arc, I knew I couldn’t mess this up. I didn’t want to lose my home. My support workers told me that if I went back to him, I would lose their support. That moment was a turning point, I was too far down my new path. I made the decision never to go back.”

Jord has now moved into her own flat in Bridgwater, her first real home. It’s a fully refurbished property she found through Home Finder after being Gold banded. “I’ve never had my own place before. This is a complete fresh start.”

She’s not only made a home for herself but a future too. Jord is thriving and fills her days attending groups and training courses. She’s worked through programs on trauma, pattern changing, and steps to healing through The Nelson Trust, where she connected with her current support worker, Claire.

“I’ve learned so much,” Jord says. “I want to do another pattern changing course now that I understand what coercive control really is. Claire has been incredible. And I have a great group of supportive friends too.”

“I’ve put myself through so much learning and change,” Jord reflects. “I’ve reconnected with my mum after two years of not speaking. She blamed me when my baby was taken from me, even though it was out of my hands. But we’ve been rebuilding our relationship, and she’s been back in my life for eight months now. She’s even coming to visit for the carnival.”

Jord’s long-term goals are focused and full of promise. “I used to work in Road Chief, but I want to retake my Maths and English from September and hopefully go into childcare. I’m also planning to do Peer Mentoring through Nelson Trust and maybe volunteer at a crèche.”

She’s taken ownership of her new beginning: “I sourced an oven, got a grant for white goods, and I’m saving up for carpet. It’s £600, but I’ve got a payment plan, and I’m trying to pay it off quickly. I even found a man with a van to help me move.”

Now, Jord is proud, independent, and focused. “I’m stronger, I love living on my own, and I’m looking forward to the future. I couldn’t have done any of this without Claire or Julie.”

Reflecting on how far she’s come, Jord says:
“I’ve come from being a rat to a buzzy bee… I was at rock bottom. And now, I’m at the top.”