For two years, Becca was living in a small room in a hostel where privacy was a luxury. The hostel was a temporary shelter, but for Becca, it felt like an endless chapter of her life. The hardest part was the lack of basic amenities—a cooker, a fridge, even a place to prepare a proper meal. She relied on ready-made food, eating mostly cold meals that provided little nourishment or comfort.

Becca had found herself homeless after a series of unfortunate events. A sudden job loss, followed by the breakdown of a relationship, had left her without a home. During this time, she became pregnant with her first child and more than ever needed somewhere she could feel safe, warm and call home.

One morning, Becca received the news she had been hoping for—a flat had become available, and it was hers if she wanted it, she felt a mix of relief and excitement but also anxiety and fear. Moving into her own place was a dream come true, but the flat was bare, with no cooker, fridge, or basic household essentials and with little finances how would she turn it into a home for herself and her baby?

Thankfully Becca’s support worker referred her to Fresh Start and we were able to help her turn her empty property into a home. Within the first week of her new tenancy, we delivered and fitted a cooker and a fridge freezer to her new flat along with a whole van load of essential Starter Pack items such as bedding, crockery, curtains, towels, and pots/pans.

The first time Becca turned on her new cooker, she was filled with a sense of gratitude. She hadn’t cooked a proper meal in so long, and now she could finally prepare the food she loved for herself and her baby. She made a simple dinner—just pasta with a homemade sauce—but it tasted like a feast. With her fridge now humming in the corner, she could store fresh vegetables, dairy, and leftovers. It might seem like a small thing, but for Becca, it was life-changing.

With Fresh Start’s help, Becca was able to move beyond mere survival. Her flat, once empty, began to feel like a real home. With a safe place to live and the means to cook and store food, Becca’s mental and physical health improved. She felt stronger, more confident, and ready to take on new challenges.

Becca’s journey wasn’t easy, but with the support of Fresh Start, she turned a new page in her life. Becca now looks to the future with optimism, knowing that she has the strength to rebuild her life, one step at a time.

Becca said ‘I now feel that I’m able to eat and store food without worrying. I feel comfortable in my home and feel content that I’m able to live not worrying how I’m going to cook and I can save money storing food and not have to but milk every day. If it wasn’t for Fresh Start, I don’t know what I would have done it has had a big impact. If I didn’t get the support, I would have been depressed and stressed it has really helped my mental health. Thank so much to you all!’

By donating to our Cookers for Christmas appeal you can help someone like Becca get a Fresh Start. Every donation helps – thank you!