From troubled teenager to top tenant, Lauren Foalle has changed her life for the better.  And now the 19-year-old from North Kenton is concentrating on improving life for the other residents in Hillsview Avenue.

She has thrown herself into the young person's involvement strategy, organised by Your Homes Newcastle, to discuss housing issues facing young people in the city.  The regular meetings at Pizza Hut have given Lauren a chance to meet new people, and she is enjoying helping others get their lives on track.

“I enjoy talking to people,” she said. “At the meetings I was talking about improvements and how to get them.

“I enjoy trying to make a difference and it is great meeting new people. It was hard when I first moved here, but I just had to adapt.”

Project worker Shaz Russell first met 18 months ago when she moved to the Stepping Stones supported accommodation, and nominated her for the community award.

Lauren, who has lived on her own since the age of 16, is now planning to move into her own flat later this month.

Shaz said:

 “Lauren was living a very unsettled way of life before coming to live at Stepping Stones. And she has faced difficulties whilst being a tenant at the project.

“But Lauren has now turned things around at Stepping Stones, and turned her tenancy into a successful one.”