“Services like this give people hope”

For Mawushi, a mother of three young boys, the word “home” used to mean uncertainty, stress, and survival. After months of homelessness and constant upheaval, she’s finally found peace at Malone Terrace – our newly opened supported housing service in Clifton for families experiencing homelessness.

“I was sleeping in a train station with my children,” she comments.

 “Now I look out the window and feel calm. A place like this, it’s gives you warmth and security.”

A journey of loss and resilience

Mawushi’s story is one of unimaginable hardship. After losing her husband and facing abuse from a subsequent partner, she struggled to afford rent and resorted to chasing job opportunities across the Midlands. When a promising role fell through, she was left stranded with no money for food or travel. With nowhere else to go, she and her children resorted to sleeping at a train station.

She is grateful to the kindness of strangers who signposted her to the right support, and she was offered temporary accommodation through Nottingham City Council.

Mawushi was grateful for a place to stay, but found temporary hotel accommodation brought its own challenges. She explains: “For a long time we were moving around from one hotel to another, always packing. In a hotel there is nowhere to cook, nowhere to wash clothes.”

In July 2025, she and her children were offered short-term accommodation at Malone Terrace, and everything changed.

A place to heal and grow

Malone Terrace doesn’t just offer a roof; it’s a safe place where families can rebuild their lives with dignity and support.

The new supported housing service, delivered by NCHA and commissioned by Nottingham City Council, the scheme of 14 independent flats is offering hope to families experiencing homelessness. Offering more stable short-term accommodation, it allows families the space and confidence to look for a new home and plan for the future.

“It’s heaven here,” Mawushi says. “We can cook our own food. Cooking relaxes me – it’s one of my favourite hobbies. The boys feel at home.”

She speaks warmly of the staff: “They’ve helped me with food and electricity vouchers, set up my bills, and register with Nottingham HomeLink. They check in on me, make sure I’m okay, make sure the boys are okay. They make you feel alive – God bless them.”

“Before, the boys were always asking ‘When are we going home?’ They don’t ask anymore,” Mawushi says. “This place gives you warmth and security. It makes you feel like you’re not alone – that people care.”

She has found secure employment in the city and, with this newfound stability, is actively searching for a permanent home in Nottingham.

Why supported housing matters

Services like Malone Terrace are more than temporary solutions – they’re lifelines. They offer:

• Security: Families no longer have to pack their bags every week or worry about where they’ll sleep next.
• Support: Staff provide practical help and emotional care, empowering residents to take control of their futures.
• Independence: Access to cooking and laundry facilities restores dignity and routine.
• Hope: A safe, peaceful environment allows families to heal and plan for the future.

We’re sharing Mawushi’s story as part of our contribution to the National Housing Federation’s Starts at Home Day – a day to celebrate the incredible contribution of supported housing.

Find out more on the Starts at Homes website.