The inspiring journey from homeless teenager to award-winning project worker was shared for World Mental Health Day.

Alexandra Reynolds, who works at Sanctuary Supported Living's Weston Foyer, overcame mental health struggles and a difficult upbringing to now help young people navigate their own challenges.

Her story highlights the impact of support and community in transforming lives.

At just 16, Ms Reynolds moved into Sanctuary Supported Living’s Weston Foyer.

A difficult childhood, made worse by her parents' struggles with addiction, had left her feeling isolated, hopeless, and battling severe depression.

She explained: "I couldn’t go out; I didn’t speak to anyone.

"I felt like there was no way out and turned to drugs to escape."

Even after moving into the Foyer, she found herself caring for her younger sister, who was still living at home, while also trying to support her father, who was struggling with alcoholism after the tragic death of another sibling.

The pressure was immense for a 16-year-old.

She added: "It felt so unfair, and I couldn’t cope.

"I was being let down by the very people who should have been looking after me."

With support from staff, she began to open up about her experiences.

"My keyworker was patient and helped me feel safe enough to talk about everything that was going on," she said.

(Image: Sanctuary Supported Living) Through these conversations, Ms Reynolds gained the emotional and practical support that had been lacking at home, as well as the confidence to seek further help, accessing counselling and therapy through the NHS.

"I began to understand that while I couldn’t control what had happened in the past, I could change how I responded to it," she reflected.

Slowly, her mental health improved, and she found a sense of community at the Foyer.

Ms Reynolds said: "It wasn’t just a safe and secure place to live - it was my home.

"The other tenants and staff became like a family to me.

"That support was exactly what I needed to turn my life around."

The unwavering encouragement helped her rediscover her self-worth and pursue her dream of becoming a performer in musical theatre.

Ms Reynolds eventually moved out in 2007, ready to face the world on her own.

In 2010, while raising her two-year-old daughter, life took another turn.

As she was living independently in her own home, Ms Reynolds was able to access the Foyer’s community-based floating support team, who provided the additional support she needed.

During this time, she continued to face challenges related to her family members' addictions, but her keyworkers were there to offer consistent guidance and stability, helping her manage these difficulties week by week.

It was during these sessions that the idea of a future career with Sanctuary Supported Living began to take shape.

So, when an opportunity arose to return to Weston Foyer – this time as a project worker - Ms Reynolds knew she couldn’t turn it down.

She said: "Joining the team at Weston Foyer was a dream come true.

"It felt like coming home, but this time, I could give back and help others on their journey."