There is good in this life 

My name is Nishta, and my dream is to help people who have been through difficult times in life.

I am a Youth Organiser at Praxis, but Praxis is not only where I work – it’s where it all started for me.

Before I first came to Praxis in 2018, I thought I was going to be homeless. I was 26, my leave to remain had just ended, and I had nowhere to go. I have lived in the UK since I was 14, but without any access to public support, there were no options for me. I couldn’t sofa surf any longer.

That's when I came to Praxis to attend one of the youth group Brighter Futures meetings. Emma, the Groupwork Coordinator, understood that I had nowhere to stay and she immediately helped me get into Praxis’ housing project.

That was a turning point in my life.

One day I thought I was going to be homeless,

the next day I had my room in Croydon.

Next, an adviser in Praxis helped me with my immigration case – they helped me prepare for appointments, and made sure that a solicitor had all the right documents.

Finding out about Praxis was everything. The impact has been huge. For women without children, like me, it can be a very hard road as there is no support available. Two years ago, Praxis was literally my only hope.

Fast forward to 2020 and now my immigration situation is stable, I‘m renting a room in a flat with friends and I work for Praxis. I work with members of our youth group, Brighter Futures, so they can build their confidence, have their voice heard and build a better life for themselves.

Now I can support people who are in the same situation I was – some of the women, young people and children I work with at Brighter Futures and WINGS also live in Praxis housing project.

They are safe, and have the kind of support that we didn’t even know we needed until we got it from Praxis. Just having someone to call or to have a conversation when feeling low, Praxis has given each and every woman a lot.

It makes people be themselves and understand that there is good in this life.