The Starts at Home campaign celebrates the value of care and support services and the difference that having a safe and secure place to call home can make to people’s lives.

The campaign is an opportunity for North Star and other housing associations up and down the country to promote the vital work they do in their communities.

North Stars supported housing includes housing and support for people who have experienced homelessness, domestic abuse, care leavers, people with disabilities and mental health needs as well as older people.

Starts at Home provides a real opportunity to give people a chance to tell their story in their own words about what supported housing means to them.

Marnies story:

Marnie Rauf came to supported housing as a Looked After Child in November 2020.  Marnie was placed into supported lodgings for a while before moving to Rainham House in Middlesbrough. She settled in very well and has flourished with support from North Star staff who are based at the scheme.  Marnie also worked alongside the Mayor of Middlesbrough and gained work experience with Middlesbrough Councils ‘Big Takeover’ where local teenagers were given strategic operational roles to manage, within the council for one week.

Earlier this year she was recognised by judges of the Orwell Youth Prize for a hard-hitting, honest description of a girl who decided to move away from her family after a difficult childhood, but then struggled with the independence and freedom she gained.

Marnie will be leaving us in September 2022 as she has been offered a place at Durham University reading English Literature.

Everyone is incredibly proud of what she has achieved.