Stories for International Women’s Day 2026, celebrating our Women’s & Non-Binary Space.
“New Horizon, it’s a sense of hope, it’s a sense of being.”
Chloe, aged 22, has been coming to Women’s & Non-Binary Space every week for the past few months. She enjoys the routine, trying out new hobbies, focusing her mind through creative activities, and connecting with staff and young people.
“I’ve got friends, but they all go to uni. They don’t work full-time. So, my schedule is different to theirs. When I come here, it’s like your problem is different to mine, but we’re still going to laugh and giggle. That’s why I like coming.”
Chloe describes herself as “hyper-independent”, and like many of us, she struggles to ask for help.
“I was in care when I was younger, and from care I stayed at my Grandma’s. I worked, and I studied. I have a full-time job as a special needs teaching assistant. Then, I realised my mental health was getting bad.”
After a breakdown in family relationships, Chloe was kicked out of her home. She contacted her local council but received little support because she was deemed a low priority. After speaking with her friend, she finally reached out to New Horizon.
Our Rough Sleeping team helped her to secure emergency accommodation.
“The first week was amazing. Met lovely girls that I still even talk to now. We’re like pen pals. One lives in France and one lives in Belgium.”
Chloe enjoyed the first week in a backpackers’ hostel, but when she was later placed in a mixed dorm, she struggled to feel comfortable. This ultimately pushed her to speak up and advocate for herself.
Now, Chloe is settled in private rented accommodation.
“I’m in a safe, secure place. The letting agents are nice. I can walk around and just be free. It’s wholesome… It’s made me see life differently.”
“I love it. I’m safe, I’m comfy. The people are nice, it’s stability. I think, for me my whole life I have gone in and out of stability. I’ve never had stability so I’ve craved that. So now to have stability, it’s crazy.”
Chloe has also received budgeting support from our Resettlement Worker, a specialist who helps young people settle into accommodation, maintain their tenancy, and build the skills they need for independent living.
After years of managing ADHD without support and feeling she had to mask it at work, Chloe recognised the impact on her mental health. With support from our Health Team, she has now received a formal diagnosis.
“I’ve only just got diagnosed last week… Jeffrey (Clinical Practitioner) helped me with ADHD assessments, and he’s been coming to the doctors with me.”
This diagnosis will now give Chloe access to further support, treatments and work adjustments she wouldn’t otherwise receive.
Chloe has made strong connections with lots of the staff, especially at Women’s & Non-Binary Space.
“I can just chat to them and just be myself. They get it. If you ain’t been through what I’ve been through, you’re not going to get it.”
In the outside world she feels like, “No one cares. Everybody has their own thing. but when you come [to New Horizon], your problems are not everybody else’s, but they try to help, and you learn to navigate… They are not regular people… now I’ve got connections here, and I feel represented.”
For Chloe, since coming to New Horizon, she is most proud of being able to let her guard down and ask for help when she needs it.
“If you had known me even a year ago…! I’ve come here and been vulnerable, you haven’t judged me, but I’m still that same hyper independent person. So, my main thing [that I have achieved] would be being able to open up and be vulnerable.”
Women & Non-Binary Space trip to the National Portrait Gallery
