BHT Sussex are proud to have multiple supported accommodation options for people struggling with their mental health in Brighton and Hove. One such offering is Shore House, where 24-hour intensive support is provided to 20 people with a range of mental health diagnoses, and those experiencing the effects of complex trauma. This intensive support helps clients to change their lives and move toward more independent living. Lily is a current client who benefits from this approach. This is her story.
After spending significant time alternating between hospital stays and living in supported accommodation, Lily arrived at Shore House in 2024. She had experienced an extremely difficult childhood, marked by complex family dynamics, poverty and ill-health, exacerbated by significant trauma. Lily also experiences chronic pain following a car crash as a child. Additionally, Lily became a carer whilst still at primary school, cooking and cleaning for her younger siblings. This meant she left school by 16 with no qualifications.
Lily struggled to cope with the events of her childhood and gradually became estranged from her family. She turned to drugs and her drug use escalated throughout her teenage years, becoming a heroin addiction by her 20s. Lily said that heroin and valium, which she used daily during this period of her life, were “the only things that took the mental and physical pain away.”
Her addiction led her into a world of violence and sexual exploitation with long periods of time spent homeless whilst sofa surfing. During this period, Lily describes how she would take substances alone and imagine a different life for herself, fantasising how people she knew would be different and kinder.
Upon arriving at Shore House, staff worked hard to provide a non-judgemental, warm and inclusive space for Lily, supporting her with a safe secure base from which to work on her recovery. She was carrying significant trauma from what she describes as a “nightmarish” COVID lockdown period, and episodes of near-fatal overdose.
As staff worked to gain her trust, Lily began to show gradual but steady improvement. As she puts it, “I badly needed a break. From the drugs, and that lifestyle, and lockdown really hit me hard. I needed somewhere to put myself back together.” Lily began to revisit old skills and developed new interests. She enthusiastically took part in groups and activities that interested her such as making music, yoga and Qigong. By participating in more, she discovered she has a natural flair and enthusiasm for cooking.
Significantly, after a period of engaging in support work and activities at Shore House, Lily felt strong enough to wean herself completely off her then-daily methadone prescription. Her relationships with staff deepened and became important to her. Following a period of physical ill health, she was appreciative that staff at Shore House quickly noticed and addressed her physical deterioration, advocated for her, and helped her get back to good health.
Lily now describes herself as “sturdy in my shell”. She is able to draw her own healthy interpersonal boundaries with others, and has found her voice, participating in activity groups and resident meetings. She is a popular and well-liked member of the house.
With the help of regular contact with the in-house Narcotics Anonymous group and external services like Change Grow Live, Lily has moved away from active addition. Because of this, she has been able to save money to put towards new clothes and a holiday. Her self-care has also improved.
In her own words, Lily says, “I feel safe. I like it here. The staff are friendly and honest and I’m able to chat with them. My life feels more stable.” She appreciates both the ‘home comforts’ of lounge and kitchen and the variety of activities offered at Shore House. She now feels confident enough to explore options for living with less support and more independence and has expressed an interest in volunteering. Staff look forward to supporting her to take her next steps, continuing to offer practical and emotional support, peer support spaces and wellbeing groups. Lily knows she has a listening ear if and when she requires one.
