Setting Boundaries: A Young Woman’s Guide to Reclaiming Her Space, Peace, and Power

No is a complete sentence. But for many young women who have grown up in care, lived in survival mode, or experienced unstable relationships, saying it out loud can feel overwhelming.

At GreenLeaf Homes, we support young women as they navigate what it means to feel safe, heard, and respected. One of the most essential tools in that journey is learning how to set boundaries.

This article offers clear, practical guidance on how to understand, set, and hold boundaries as part of a healthy and empowered life.

What Are Boundaries?

Boundaries are the personal limits we set to protect our emotional and physical wellbeing. They let others know what is acceptable and what is not. Boundaries are not about building walls or pushing people away. They are about honouring your needs and your safety.

Types of boundaries include:

Emotional boundaries

• Protecting your feelings, deciding what topics are off limits, or walking away from emotionally unsafe conversations.

Time boundaries

• Protecting your schedule, rest time, or daily routines.
  

Physical boundaries

• Defining your comfort level with touch, personal space, or privacy.

Digital boundaries

• Choosing when and how you respond to messages, or who has access to you online.

What Are Boundaries?

Boundaries are the personal limits we set to protect our emotional and physical wellbeing. They let others know what is acceptable and what is not. Boundaries are not about building walls or pushing people away. They are about honouring your needs and your safety.

Why It Feels Difficult

Many young women struggle with boundaries because their earliest environments did not allow for them. They may have been taught to say yes to avoid conflict or to ignore discomfort in order to be accepted.

These experiences often create patterns of people-pleasing, anxiety, or guilt around expressing needs. The result is that saying no can feel like you are doing something wrong.

This is especially common for individuals who have survived trauma or abandonment. The idea of disappointing others can feel like a threat, even when there is no actual danger.

This response is learned. But it can also be unlearned.

Signs You May Need Better Boundaries

Recognising the signs is the first step. Here are some clear indicators that your boundaries need work:

* You often feel resentful after doing something for others

* You feel exhausted or emotionally drained after social interactions

* You say yes when you want to say no

* You are afraid people will stop liking you if you speak up

* You feel invisible in relationships, or that your needs come last

If these resonate, it may be time to begin strengthening your personal boundaries.

How to Start Setting Boundaries

This is not about suddenly changing everything. Boundaries are built gradually, just like trust.

Start small

Set a clear boundary in a low-stress environment. For example: "I will not be available after 9 PM."

Speak clearly

You do not need to justify or explain. Try: "That is not something I am comfortable with."

Accept that it may feel uncomfortable

Boundaries often challenge existing dynamics. Some people may resist. That is not a sign you are wrong.

Be consistent

Boundaries only work when you stick to them. Say what you mean and follow through gently.

Remind yourself that you are allowed

You are allowed to rest. You are allowed to have limits. You are allowed to take up space.

Examples of Boundary Statements

It is helpful to have language prepared for common situations. Here are a few practical scripts:

* I need time to think before I answer that

* I am not ready to talk about this

* I care about you, but I need some space right now

* I am not comfortable being spoken to that way

* I do not check messages late at night

The more you use these statements, the more natural they will become.

When You Do Not Set Boundaries

Avoiding boundaries may feel easier in the moment, but it often leads to long-term consequences, including:

* Burnout and exhaustion

* Resentment in relationships

* A loss of identity or sense of self

* Repeating harmful patterns

* Struggles with trust and emotional regulation

Without boundaries, even well-meaning people can overwhelm you. This is not about blame. It is about your responsibility to protect your peace.

Support in Supported Living Environments

At GreenLeaf Homes, we work closely with young women to help them understand and practice healthy boundaries. This includes:

* Identifying their personal needs without shame

* Learning how to say no and mean it

* Creating emotional and physical space in shared living environments

* Rebuilding trust in themselves and others

We treat boundary-setting as a life skill, not a personality trait. And like any skill, it improves with practice and support.

Setting boundaries is not about being difficult. It is about being clear.

It is not about pushing people away. It is about choosing peace.

It is not about becoming someone new. It is about finally becoming yourself.

You are not too much. You are not selfish. You are allowed to protect your energy.

If you or someone you support is learning to set boundaries and rebuild after trauma, we invite you to reach out.

GreenLeaf Homes offers a safe, structured, and understanding environment for young women ready to heal and grow ,one clear boundary at a time.

And at GreenLeaf Homes, we are here to walk that journey with you.Want to Learn More?

At GreenLeaf Homes, we’re committed to getting this right, even before our first placement.

If you’re a young person, professional, or partner who wants to talk about person-centred care, we’d love to connect.

Contact us here. info@greenleafhomes.co.uk or Instagram

Join our Email List

“We’re building a service that centers young people’s voice, choice, and safety from day one. Want to know more? Click here




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#Boundaries #YouthSupport #EmotionalWellbeing #HealingAfterTrauma #GreenLeafHomes

Trauma Bonding: Why Some Young People Stay in Harmful Relationships

One of the most heartbreaking patterns we see working with young people aged 16 to 21, is the difficulty in leaving harmful relationships even when the young person knows they’re being hurt. This isn’t a matter of weakness or foolishness. Often, what we’re seeing is trauma bonding, a survival response to inconsistent care, control, and emotional manipulation.

Understanding trauma bonding is key to breaking the cycle and helping young people move toward safety and self-worth.

What is Trauma Bonding?

Trauma bonding happens when a person forms a strong emotional connection with someone who repeatedly harms or mistreats them. This connection is intensified by a cycle of abuse and affection. The pain keeps them low, but the occasional kindness gives just enough hope to stay.

For many young people, especially those with a history of neglect, loss, or abuse, this pattern can feel familiar, even normal.

What is Trauma Bonding?

Trauma bonding happens when a person forms a strong emotional connection with someone who repeatedly harms or mistreats them. This connection is intensified by a cycle of abuse and affection. The pain keeps them low, but the occasional kindness gives just enough hope to stay.

What It Might Look Like (Real-Life Examples):

• A young person saying, "Yeah, he shouts at me, but he’s just stressed. He always says sorry."

• Feeling intense loyalty to someone who isolates or controls them

• Constantly trying to "fix" or please someone who hurts them

• Being afraid of what life will feel like without the person, even when they cause distress

Why Trauma Bonding Happens

Young people are still forming their sense of identity and self-worth. If they’ve experienced instability in early relationships like absent parents, neglect, or abuse their brains may associate love with chaos, control, or pain.

In these cases:

• Inconsistency feels normal

• Affection feels like a reward

• Control feels like safety
  

It’s not love. It’s survival.

How to Gently Support Them

As professionals, our role is not to rescue, but to walk alongside. Here’s what helps:

• Use non-judgemental language – Avoid “Why don’t you just leave?” Instead, try: “That sounds really difficult. What do you need right now?”

• Name the pattern – Introduce the concept of trauma bonding gently and explain it in relatable terms

• Empower choice – Give space for the young person to make decisions, even if you don’t agree

• Strengthen self-worth – Help them rediscover who they are outside the relationship

• Offer consistency – Become the “safe person” they can return to without fear of blame

Final Thoughts

If you’re reading this as a young person, know that it’s not your fault. You didn’t choose to be hurt, and you don’t have to keep proving your worth through pain.

If you’re a professional or carer keep showing up. It takes time for someone to see what they’re in. Your presence, empathy, and gentle guidance can be the reason they find the strength to walk away.

Want to Learn More?

At GreenLeaf Homes, we’re committed to getting this right, even before our first placement.

If you’re a young person, professional, or partner who wants to talk about person-centred care, we’d love to connect.

Contact us here. info@greenleafhomes.co.uk or Instagram

Join our Email List

“We’re building a service that centers young people’s voice, choice, and safety from day one. Want to know more? Click here




#TraumaBonding #YouthSupport #ToxicRelationships #TraumaInformedCare #EmotionalAbuse #BreakTheCycle #MentalHealthForYouth #YoungPeopleMatter #SupportWorkerLife #HealingFromTrauma

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Beating the Clock: Why You Procrastinate and How Time Management Can Help

Sometimes, managing your time sounds like something people tell you to do when they’re trying to guilt-trip you into being productive. But when you’re actually living real life juggling school, a job, maybe healing from stuff, maybe trying to get your head right, It can be very challenging.

Sometimes you're just trying to get through the day. Other times you're thinking, wait, it's already evening

And NO, it’s not because you’re not lazy or unserious. You’re just doing what you can with what you’ve got.

But also, time isn’t going to stretch itself to make things easier. So the earlier you learn how to take control of your day, even just a little bit, the better everything feels. Not perfect. Just lighter.

We overthink it. We want to plan our whole week, wake up at 5am, and magically become like other people. But it rarely works like that. What works is paying attention to the little things that steal your time and adjusting them.

So how do you manage time when it feels like you have none

Start small. That’s it.

We overthink it. We want to plan our whole week, wake up at 5am, and magically become like other people. But it rarely works like that. What works is paying attention to the little things that steal your time and adjusting them.

Like this

1. Notice what’s draining you

Not every thing that drains you looks like a task. If scrolling leaves you tired, that counts. If pretending to be fine around people wears you out, that matters. If worrying for two hours before starting anything is your pattern, that’s stealing your time too.

The goal is not to shame yourself. It’s just to stop being surprised when you’re exhausted and feel like you’ve achieved nothing.

2. Give yourself less to do, not more

The fewer things on your list, the more likely you’ll actually do them. If you write things like fix my CV, apply to five jobs, clean my room, work out, and text three people, chances are you’ll avoid all of it. But if your only goal is to update the education part of your CV, you’ll do that. You might even do more.

Momentum is real. Start with one thing that won’t scare your brain.

3. Make boring things easier

You don’t have to sit down with a planner and coloured pens. You can just open the Notes app and list three things you’d like to finish by tomorrow. Not full sentences. Just simple reminders. You can even set an alarm that says do that one thing.

Making it look fancy doesn’t matter. Making it doable does.

4. Treat time like money

If you had one thousand pounds and people kept asking for three hundred here and there, you’d eventually notice you were running out. That’s what happens with time too.

You only have 24 hours. If six go into overthinking, three into your phone, and another five doing things for people out of guilt, what’s left for you

This is not to make you feel bad. It’s just to make you more aware of where your hours are going. You can’t get back what you didn’t even notice you were spending.

5. Don’t wait to feel like it

Motivation usually shows up after you start, not before. Waiting to be in the mood is. Possible, but not reliable.

Instead, start. Open the document. Mute your phone. Set a timer. Tell someone to check on you. The goal is not to feel ready. The goal is to start even when you’re not.

Final thing to remember

Managing your time isn’t about turning into a productivity machine. It’s about feeling less scattered and less weighed down by the things you already have to do.

You don’t have to do everything. You just have to stop giving your whole day to things that don’t build the life you actually want.

Want to Learn More?

At GreenLeaf Homes, we’re committed to getting this right, even before our first placement.

If you’re a young person, professional, or partner who wants to talk about person-centred care, we’d love to connect.

Contact us here. info@greenleafhomes.co.uk or Instagram

Join our Email List

“We’re building a service that centers young people’s voice, choice, and safety from day one. Want to know more? Click here




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Why Employment Support for Young People in Care Needs More Than CVs and Interviews

When a young person in care gets their first job, it’s often seen as a win ,and it is. But what happens when they suddenly stop showing up? Or feel overwhelmed by what most would call “normal” workplace dynamics?This isn’t a lack of commitment. It’s a lack of preparation.

The Real Job Skills Most Programs Miss

We talk a lot about employability, how to apply for jobs, how to dress for interviews, and how to write a great CV. But we rarely teach the skills that actually help young people stay employed.

For young people who’ve experienced trauma or instability, the workplace can feel like another unfamiliar system with invisible rules.

At GreenLeaf Homes, we’ve seen it up close. And we know that the key to sustainable employment is deeper than job descriptions.

It’s about equipping young people with:

• The ability to receive feedback without feeling attacked

• Tools to self-regulate when overwhelmed

• Confidence to advocate for themselves calmly

• Language to express when they need help

• Resilience to bounce back from mistakes

These aren’t “extras” ,they’re essentials.

Why Trauma-Informed Employment Support Matters

In supported accommodation, employment support must go hand in hand with emotional support. Trauma can show up in ways that make work difficult: avoidance, low self-esteem, fear of authority, or emotional shutdowns.

We’ve shifted our approach to reflect that.

• We slow things down ,not rushing the job search but preparing them for what to expect

• We practice conversations ,like what to say when you're confused, upset, or unsure

• We coach through reflection ,discussing what went well, and what didn’t

• We check in regularly ,not just when there’s a problem

This kind of support empowers them not just to work, but to stay working. And to feel proud of how far they’ve come.

Employment is About More Than Money

A job gives structure. It offers a sense of purpose. It builds identity.

When we support young people in care to not only find jobs but thrive in them, we’re doing more than ticking boxes. We’re giving them space to grow into independence, on their terms.

Because employment should never be the end goal.
Belief in their future ,that’s the real milestone.

Want to Learn More?

At GreenLeaf Homes, we’re committed to getting this right, even before our first placement.

If you’re a young person, professional, or partner who wants to talk about person-centred care, we’d love to connect.

Contact us here. info@greenleafhomes.co.uk or Instagram

Join our Email List

“We’re building a service that centers young people’s voice, choice, and safety from day one. Want to know more? Click here




#YouthEmploymentSupport #CareLeaversUK #SupportedAccommodation #GreenLeafHomes #LifeSkillsUK #SocialCareProfessionals #WorkReady #JobSkillsForTeens #CareExperiencedVoices #YouthSupportServices #SkillsForLife

Life Skills We Teach: Taking Care of Your Space

There’s a quiet kind of progress we see in supported accommodation that often goes unnoticed. It’s not always about the big breakthroughs or dramatic changes. Sometimes, it’s the simple act of a young person making their bed in the morning without being reminded. It’s seeing someone sort their laundry correctly for the first time. Or watching a resident wipe down a surface because they want to keep their space clean, not because someone told them to.

This week, we’re talking about what it means to take care of your space. Bedrooms, laundry, communal areas, these are the places where young people begin to shape their daily routines. These routines may seem small, but they are the foundation of long-term independence.

For some, basic household responsibilities are unfamiliar. It’s not a lack of motivation. It’s often a lack of experience or a disrupted relationship with structure and routine.

Many of the young people we support haven’t had consistent environments before coming to us. For some, basic household responsibilities are unfamiliar. It’s not a lack of motivation. It’s often a lack of experience or a disrupted relationship with structure and routine.

That’s why we take time to teach these skills in a way that feels manageable and supportive. We don’t just hand out chores. We build habits. We explain why a clean space can help ease anxiety. We talk about how folding clothes in the evening can make mornings less stressful. We show how keeping communal areas clean helps build mutual respect.

We are not just teaching how to clean. We are helping young people understand their environment as an extension of themselves. When they learn to care for their room or common areas, they begin to see that their space  and by extension, their life, matters. They start to believe they are worth taking care of.

These tasks also build important life skills. Learning to manage laundry or organise a bedroom helps young people develop planning, time management, and personal responsibility. These are things they will carry into their adult lives, whether they move into their own flats, return to family, or live in shared housing.

Taking care of your space may not seem like a big deal. But for young people learning to rebuild their sense of control, identity, and pride, it can be a powerful step forward.

So when we say we prepare young people for independence, this is part of what we mean. Not just teaching them what to do, but helping them feel confident doing it — for themselves, in their own way, at their own pace.

Because healing starts with the little things. And sometimes, it starts with laundry.

Want to Learn More?

At GreenLeaf Homes, we’re committed to getting this right, even before our first placement.

If you’re a young person, professional, or partner who wants to talk about person-centred care, we’d love to connect.

Contact us here. info@greenleafhomes.co.uk or Instagram

Join our Email List

“We’re building a service that centers young people’s voice, choice, and safety from day one. Want to know more? Click here




#LifeSkillsForYouth #SupportedAccommodation #YouthSupportUK #IndependentLivingSupport #SafeSpacesForYouth #TraumaInformedCare #SocialCareProfessionals #GreenLeafHomes #AdultingUK #CareThatHeals

What Does It Mean to Be Person-Centered?

GreenLeaf Homes’ Commitment to Individualised Care

At GreenLeaf Homes, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all support. Every young person is unique: their story, their needs, their strengths, and their goals. That’s why our approach is firmly person-centred.

But what does person-centred actually mean in practice?

It’s about putting the young person at the heart of everything. It’s about listening deeply, respecting choices, and seeing beyond labels or risk assessments to the whole person.

Key Principles of Person-Centred Care

•  Respect for Identity and Story
  We acknowledge every young person’s life experience, culture, gender, and worldview. No one is reduced to a placement or a problem.

• Voice, Choice, and Control
  We don’t make plans for young people—we make them with them. They have a say in their routines, goals, and how they’re supported.

•  Strengths-Based Support
  We focus on what young people can do, not just their needs. We help them recognise skills, resilience, and hopes for the future.

• Relationship-Focused Practice
  Change happens in the context of trust. Our staff build consistent, caring relationships that young people can rely on.

• Flexibility and Adaptability
  Every plan is individual. We adapt our approach to each person’s changing needs, goals, and circumstances.

How We Plan to Put This Into Practice at GreenLeaf

Even before we welcome our first resident, we’re preparing to ensure our person-centered values are real, not just words on paper:

• Staff training in person-centered planning, not cookie-cutter support plans
  Induction that includes active listening and cultural humility
  Policies that build choice and negotiation into routines (e.g. meal planning, bedtimes, key work sessions)
  Recruitment that prioritizes empathy, respect, and willingness to learn over ticking boxes
  Supervision templates that prompt reflection on personal bias and power dynamics
  Feedback systems that invite young people to shape their own experience at GreenLeaf

Role-Play & Scenario Examples for Staff

At GreenLeaf, we use role-plays and “what would you do” scenarios to help our team practice person-centred responses before they’re needed in real life.

Here are a few examples:

Scenario 1: Choice in Daily Routine

A young person says they don’t want to come to the house meeting tonight.

Person-centred response:

• Respect their choice: “That’s okay. Can you let me know if there’s anything you want shared on your behalf?”

• Offer alternatives: “If you’d like, I can update you afterwards privately.”

• Reflect on why they might not want to come.

Scenario 2: Challenging Behaviour Label

A staff member calls a young person “difficult” in a handover.

Person-centred reflection prompt:

• How else might you describe what happened?

• What might have been going on for the young person?

• How does this label affect how we support them?

Better approach:

“They seemed overwhelmed last night and needed space. Let’s think about what might help next time.”

 Scenario 3: Planning Goals Together

A young person says: “I don’t want to go to college. Stop making me.”

Person-centred response:

• Validate their choice: “It’s your decision.”

• Explore without pushing: “Can you tell me what doesn’t feel right about it?”

• Support other goals: “What would you want to focus on right now?”

Scenario 4: Cultural Sensitivity

A young woman asks for halal meals but the staff plan is generic.

Person-centred practice:

• Include her in planning meals.

• Ensure her needs are respected without making her feel “othered.”

• Build this choice into the shopping and rota systems.

Scenario 5: Conflict Resolution

A young person swears at staff in frustration.

Person-centred approach:

• Stay calm. Avoid power struggles.

• Reflect afterwards: “I see you were really upset. Can we talk about it?”

• Understand triggers. Plan together for next time.

Why It Matters

Person-centered care isn’t an “extra” or a buzzword. For young people who may have felt unheard, controlled, or dismissed, it’s essential.

By truly listening, respecting choice, and seeing each young person as the expert in their own life, we help them feel safe enough to heal and strong enough to build the future they want.

Want to Learn More?

At GreenLeaf Homes, we’re committed to getting this right—even before our first placement.

If you’re a young person, professional, or partner who wants to talk about person-centred care, we’d love to connect.

Contact us here. info@greenleafhomes.co.uk or Instagram

Join our Email List

“We’re building a service that centers young people’s voice, choice, and safety from day one. Want to know more? Click here

Trauma-Informed or Trauma-Aware? Why Language Matters in Residential Support

Across residential and supported accommodation settings, terms like trauma-aware and trauma-informed are often used interchangeably. But for those of us working closely with young people affected by adversity, these distinctions matter deeply — not just in theory, but in the outcomes we see every day.

Understanding trauma is foundational. But embedding it into culture, language, and practice — that’s where real change begins.

Trauma-Aware: The Acknowledgement Stage

Many services describe themselves as trauma-aware, often as a result of introductory training or in-house CPD. It’s a useful foundation. Staff begin to recognise trauma as a factor in behaviour, presentation, and engagement. There’s an awareness that what looks like “defiance” may be fear. That mistrust may be learned protection.

But awareness without structural change can be performative. Policies may remain punitive. Language may still isolate or stigmatize. Staff may still feel unsupported in handling complex relational dynamics. In trauma-aware settings, young people may feel understood on paper but controlled in practice.

Trauma-Informed: When Awareness Meets Culture Shift

A trauma-informed organisation goes further. Here, trauma understanding informs not just what we know but how we show up:

• Care plans are co-created, not imposed.

• Relationships are central, not peripheral.

• Boundaries are clear, kind, and consistent, rather than reactive or rigid.

• Supervision includes emotional processing, not just performance metrics.

• Risk is managed collaboratively, not solely through behavioural compliance.
  
  
  
  

Trauma-informed systems interrogate power, prioritise predictability, and build in recovery through every daily interaction. They invest in reflective practice, not just procedural training.

Why Language is a Leading Indicator

Language is a window into culture. When organisations talk about “placements” rather than “people”, or speak of “managing behaviour” without exploring context, the message to both staff and residents is clear: control over connection.

Conversely, when staff say things like “What need is this behaviour trying to meet?”, or ask “How can I make this moment feel safer?”, they demonstrate not just knowledge, but a working trauma lens. Language reveals whether trauma-informed practice is embedded or performative.

In Practice: The GreenLeaf Homes Approach

At GreenLeaf Homes, our trauma-informed framework is not a one-off initiative, it’s embedded in the way we recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate. From the physical environment to conflict resolution, everything is designed to reduce stress, build trust, and create opportunities for agency.

We don’t claim perfection, we priorities reflection. We believe healing isn’t linear, and our role is to hold space with consistency and respect.

Why It Matters Now More Than Ever

As supported accommodation services continue to evolve, particularly under greater scrutiny, regulation, and demand — the difference between trauma-aware and trauma-informed becomes more than semantic. It influences:

• Staff retention and well-being

• Placement stability

• Young people’s long-term outcomes

• The ethical integrity of our work
  
  Experts in this space must challenge ourselves and each other to move beyond awareness, and do the slower, deeper work of embedding trauma-informed principles into culture.

Final Thought

Awareness is an entry point. Informed practice is a commitment.

For the young women we support , many of whom have survived systems before ours , that commitment can make the difference between surviving and rebuilding.

At GreenLeaf Homes, we believe that distinction is worth protecting, and worth getting right.

What Does It Mean to Be Trauma-Informed?

How GreenLeaf Homes Embeds the Six Principles of Healing-Centred Support

At GreenLeaf Homes, we believe that healing begins with how care is delivered, not just what support is offered. Many of the young women we welcome have experienced instability, loss, or trauma in their past. Our role is not to fix them, but to walk alongside them with compassion, consistency, and respect.

That’s why our approach is firmly rooted in the six principles of trauma-informed care: Safety, Trust, Peer Support, Collaboration, Empowerment, and Cultural Sensitivity. These aren’t just ideals—they shape how we design our spaces, train our staff, build relationships, and support each young woman’s growth.

In this post, we explore what these principles mean in everyday practice at GreenLeaf—and how they help us create a sanctuary where healing and independence can truly begin.

Safety

“Before healing can happen, a young person must feel safe.” Abi Adesida,  Director

What we do:

• Conduct thorough risk assessments for every new resident to understand potential triggers and support needs.

• Establish consistent, easy-to-follow house rules to create a calm and predictable environment.

• Make sure all our spaces feel welcoming i.e. clean, warm, and personalised, not clinical or cold.

• Train staff in de-escalation techniques and trauma responses to avoid re-traumatising young people.

• Encourage young people to express what helps them feel safe whether that’s locking their door, sleeping with a light on, or needing alone time..

“In our homes, we have  soft lighting, quiet zones, and gentle routines to help young women settle in from day one”, Precious Benson(RSM)

Trustworthiness & Transparency

“Trust is built when young people know what to expect”. Abi Adesida,  Director

What we do:

• We share clear information from the start; how the home works, what’s expected, and what support is available 

• Clearly explain all house rules, curfews, and placement terms during induction, no surprises.

• Staff explain the reasons behind decisions, especially when they relate to placement planning, safety, or boundaries.

• We avoid making promises we can’t keep. Even when we don’t have all the answers, we commit to honesty.

• Involve residents in decision-making meetings and care plan reviews.

• Maintain open communication when things change (e.g. a new staff rota or upcoming inspection).

• Introduce placement welcome packs and visual guides to help young people feel in control during transitions.

‘If a routine changes, like a support worker going on leave, we plan to inform residents in advance to avoid sudden disruption’. Precious Benson (RSM)

Peer Support

“Connection with others who understand is powerful.” Abi Adesida,  Director

What we do:

• Facilitate weekly group activities like shared meals, crafts, or cooking nights that build community.

• Staff are trained to model respectful communication and help resolve conflict in a restorative way.

• Optional peer-led spaces, such as group check-ins, where residents can support each other at their own pace.

‘In our induction training session, we practise how to encourage shared routines without pressuring anyone to socialise—choice matters. Precious Benson (RSM)

Collaboration & Mutuality

“Young people are not passive recipients; they’re active partners.” Abi Adesida,  Director

What we do:

• Co-create support plans with residents instead of prescribing goals to them.

• Hold regular key work sessions where they set the agenda, not us.

• Invite feedback regularly and take it seriously. If something isn’t working, we adapt.

• Recognise that power dynamics exist, and we actively work to equalise them through respectful dialogue.

• Residents are involved in building their support plans, choosing their goals, and voicing what works for them.

• Keywork sessions are designed to feel more like coaching than correction—staff ask questions, not just give answers.

• We seek feedback after move-ins, meetings, or activities to shape how we improve as a home and team.

 ‘‘As we prepare for placements, developing co-designed goal sheets and feedback forms tailored for young people’s voices Is key to our practices”, Precious Benson RSM

Empowerment, Voice & Choice

“Choice and control help rebuild what trauma often takes away.” Abi Adesida Director

What we do:

• We give young women daily choices: meal planning, how their room is set up, and how and when they want to engage.

• Let residents choose daily routines, e.g. what time to wake, what to eat, how to manage chores.

• Support them in setting their own long-term goals, whether that’s pursuing college, becoming a parent, or pursuing employment.

• Allow space for their cultural or spiritual practices, such as prayer, fasting, hair care, or traditional dress.

• We support flexible communication styles, e.g. some may prefer journaling, others may want to talk during a walk.

• Our staff help identify personal strengths and celebrate even small steps, such as getting to an appointment, setting a boundary, or cooking a meal.

“We support residents in setting up budgeting goals using visual planners and simple weekly wins”. Precious Benson RSM

Cultural, Historical & Gender Sensitivity

“Every young woman’s identity matters”. Abi Adesida Director

What we do:

• Our induction and ongoing training include race, gender, and cultural sensitivity.

• We are actively building a diverse staff team and considering shared lived experience when allocating keyworkers.

• We respect cultural routines from prayer times to food preferences and offer flexibility around them. “Every young woman’s story is shaped by identity and that must be honoured.”

• Match keyworkers thoughtfully, especially when language, gender identity, or lived experience matters.

• Celebrate cultural events and holidays with residents’ input, such as Eid, Black History Month, International Women’s Day, etc.

• Offer tailored emotional support for issues like racism, sexual exploitation, or being in care.

• Ensure our staff training includes modules on unconscious bias, gender-based violence, and systemic barriers.

“We’re currently preparing a calendar of inclusive celebrations like Black History Month, Pride Month and International Women’s Day to honour identity and belonging”. Precious Benson RSM

Putting It All Together: Healing Through Consistent, Human-Centred Support

At GreenLeaf, trauma-informed care isn’t a buzzword. It’s how we design our homes, train our staff, and most importantly, how we treat every young woman who walks through our door.

We believe that healing is possible. And it begins with care that listens, adapts, and empowers. 

We are ready to walk alongside her.

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