She was terrified on the streets without a home

Julie*

Hear from former guest Julie*, an Irish woman who stayed at Hackney Night Shelter in 2025. Julie was terrified of sleeping rough when she faced homelessness after a relationship breakdown.  

When she first arrived at the shelter, she recalled feeling anxious and unsure of what to expect but was quickly relieved to find a welcoming space where her confidence grew.  

While staying at Hackney Night Shelter, Julie was able to secure a job in hospitality and began making progress to return to her career in childcare. After a few weeks, she was thrilled to move on positively to a place in supported accommodation.  

With special thanks to Daniel Holmes and Justin Keating for their support in filming and editing the interview.  

* Guest names have been changed to protect their identity