Homeless

Millie*, 18, had so many rows with her mum that she was forced to leave. She is now homeless.

I've not got on with my mum since my dad left 10 years ago. Mum and me clashed on everything. Normal teenage stuff, I suppose, but it just got worse and worse. And then a few weeks ago it all came to a head.

It began as a normal argument - I can't even remember what it was about. But it ended with me standing outside our house with my bags, looking at a closed front door. "Get out," my mum had said. "I can't live with you anymore."

My younger brother tried his best. "Why are you doing this?" he kept saying. But my stepdad stayed out of it (I don't get on with him either) and mum had made up her mind. I was out.

Where to go?

For a few minutes I panicked - would I have to sleep rough? My dad's not around, so I couldn't stay with him.

But I called my friends, and they've been amazing. I keep my stuff at my friend Leah's* house, and I stay a couple of nights at each friend's house in turn. Without them, I'd be on the streets.

“Would I have to sleep rough?”

Jobless and homeless

I'm on the list for a council place, but that could take three years. And I've just been made redundant from my job as a travel agent, so I'm claiming benefits while I look for a new job. I'm lucky that I can put my friend's address down as my own, so no one need know that I'm homeless.

I know how lucky I've been, but that doesn't stop me feeling scared and lonely most of the time. My friends do their best to cheer me up, and the drama group I've been going to for the last three years is really helping. All these emotions are great for becoming a better actor. Acting helps me let my feelings out.

But I wouldn't wish being homeless on anyone. It's a horrible feeling.

Grateful to friend

I don't have a girlfriend at the moment (I'm gay, but that's not part of the problems with my mum. I've been out since I was 15, and all my family are fine with it), so if it wasn't for my friends I hate to think what I'd be doing now.

My plans for the future are to get my own place. Settle down and get a job. Most of all, I want to patch things up with my mum. I speak to her every so often. You know, just to tell her I'm still alive. We've apologised to each other for some of the things we've said, but we've got a long way to go before I can contemplate going back home.

Some advice...

If you find yourself in my situation, please try to work it out - try as hard as you can. But if you can't, there are places you can go. There are always places where you can have a roof over your head. Contact your local Shelter office - they can help with all aspects of living on your own, from finding somewhere to say to sorting out your finances.

Some days I feel positive, some days I don't.

Sometimes I wish I could go back, but at the moment I think this is for the best. I've always prided myself on being mature for my age, and I think this has made me even more independent. All this is making me stronger. I know I'll get through it.