When Mitchell stepped up to speak at Llamau’s recent gathering, the audience saw a confident young man standing tall with gratitude and resilience. But it hadn't always been this way for him. His journey from a young teen facing homelessness to a stable adult thriving in his own home is a story of support, determination, and the invaluable role of Llamau in his life.

Growing up, Mitchell experienced the turbulence of undiagnosed Borderline Personality Disorder. At just thirteen, he found himself in a cycle of being repeatedly kicked out of his home, forced to spend nights sleeping on park benches and under bridges before being allowed to return. This pattern escalated until, at fifteen, his situation reached a critical point.

His mother, trying to make a fresh start with a new partner, uprooted their lives from the Valleys to the Vale of Glamorgan. Mitchell lost the friends and environment he had known, and with it, the small threads of stability he clung to.

The relocation, though meant to help him, only isolated him further. Cut off from friends and family, Mitchell struggled in school, finding himself overwhelmed, behind, and increasingly discouraged. His mental health and substance use spiralled, making his home life untenable. Finally, his mother asked Mitchell to leave, giving him a leaflet for Llamau.

With nothing but directions to Barry Town Centre, Mitchell embarked on a journey he had no idea how to complete. Navigating public transport for the first time and relying on the kindness of strangers for directions, he found his way to Llamau’s offices. When he arrived, he was greeted not only with practical help but with the compassion he’d been craving for so long. Llamau acted quickly to place him in supported lodgings, setting him up with a lesbian couple who understood and empathised with the unique challenges he was facing.

After feeling lost and uncertain for so long, Mitchell felt, for the first time in a long time, safe.

When he turned sixteen, Mitchell started to feel anxious about his education and job prospects, still struggling to catch up academically. But Llamau stepped in with their education scheme, providing him with courses and guidance that not only bolstered his CV but also gave him the confidence he needed for job interviews and employment.

At seventeen, he finally secured a council flat in Penarth – his very own stable home. Thanks to Llamau, Mitchell learned essential life skills like budgeting, navigating the housing system, and applying for grants that helped him furnish his new home. 

Reflecting on his journey, Mitchell addressed Llamau’s team, knowing their work isn’t easy and that the impact they have on young lives often goes unseen. "You do make a difference," he told them. "When I was receiving support, I can admit I was challenging, too wrapped up in my own chaos to acknowledge the support around me. But hindsight is a beautiful thing. I am here to tell you that you do make a difference."

Through Llamau’s support, Mitchell was able to move from chaos to calm, one small step at a time. And now, as an Ambassador, he is here to offer his story as a testament to Llamau's mission to prevent homelessness – one life, one future, one step at a time.

His journey stands as proof of how transformative the right support can be, revealing that with compassion and guidance, everyone has the potential to become their best selves.