MELANIE

At school, I was head girl, had distinctions and stars and then college. I did go to university originally, but I had to quit …

I became homeless after a falling out with my mum. I got in with the wrong crowd and my partner at the time was abusive. I was just sofa surfing until I found somewhere with P3.

I ended up with my partner’s mother … she was heavy on the drugs and shoplifting. Then I ended up shoplifting for my dinner because I had no money. It all got out of hand. There was no way I could control it. I didn’t know what to do …

I’d be in pyjamas wanting to chill and someone would bring back six lads with coke and I’d end up joining in.

My partner poisoned me with bleach, putting it in my toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner; I only found out when friends told me. People also spiked my drinks with bleach … The day I moved out, I had a mouth so full of ulcers I couldn’t swallow … My drug misuse had started when I was 19 and with another domestic abuser … I had a counsellor but I didn’t feel I could speak to him.

Then I met Jo, my P3 Link Worker. I felt I could talk to her. With Jo’s help, I got into a P3 women’s refuge. She was absolutely brilliant …

I started to feel like me again, the old me, and to crave learning again. Now I’m at university studying psychology … I absolutely love it. It’s so fascinating.

Fleeing my ex was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but also the best. I’m so glad I went to P3, it was the making of me.

My advice to people is: don’t be afraid to talk. You’re not going to get any help if you don’t. Jo and P3 were so warm, welcoming and absolutely brilliant. I still speak to her every now and then. She likes hearing my updates.

I really can’t wait for the future.