"I'm really proud of the wings I've grown": Michael's story
Facing homelessness, Michael found acceptance, family, and a sense of confidence through the support of our Amarylis service.
At aged just 21, Michael found himself facing homelessness.
He had experienced a traumatic and abusive childhood, and when a foster care placement broke down he had to sleep on a friend's sofa. Eventually, Michael was asked to leave, with nowhere else to go.
Isolated with poor mental health, Michael turned to substances as a way of coping with his life on the streets.
I felt like I never had a break. It was like I was living in a cage and didn't belong anywhere. All I've ever known is hate and trauma.
Michael
A leaving care team referred Michael to Action for Children's Amarylis service - a supported accommodation.
Turning up with just a few bags and a stringless guitar on his back, Michael was given his own room and front door key.
When he walked through the door of Amarylis, he looked lost, but there was a glimmer of hope - like he was wondering if this could be a place to call home.
Sally, service coordinator at Amarylis
The first thing he did was unbox a collection of superhero figures.
Because of all he'd been through, Michael's mental health remained an ongoing challenge. But Amarylis's staff have been a vital support, helping him to feel safe, cared for, and accepted.
Amarylis means the world to me. They never forced anything, it was always my choice, but they believed in me. That freedom and support changed everything.
Michael
At Amarylis, building trust is key to their support. Sally and the staff take time to get to know their young people. They form genuine relationships rooted in care.
Often, they use personal hobbies and interests to connect. With Michael, they did this through music; they saw this as a core part of his identity.
Soon after he arrived, they arranged for his guitar to be restrung.
Step by step, the staff supported Michael with his passion. He started to play for them at the kitchen table in the service, eventually progressing to performing at open mic nights.
Then, he performed at Action for Children's Stephenson's Awards in 2025 - and received a standing ovation.
After performing, I felt like that insecure little boy inside me was gone. I'm really proud of the wings I've grown.
Michael, on performing at the Stephenson's Awards
A core part of Amarylis is preparing young people for independent living, and as part of this, they helped Michael work toward educational qualifications.
Michael is a keen learner, and Sally arranged 'lasagne and laptop' sessions for the house when Dell Inspire provided Chromebooks for the service. Determined to achieve his first qualification, he quickly got ahead.
Learning as a group also boosted Michael's confidence. He found himself in what he considers a 'brotherhood', increasing his sense of belonging.
Amarylis continues to support Michael on his journey, helping him build self-belief and pursue his dreams of becoming a musician.
One day, he hopes to have a house, a place to truly call his own - and a cat.
Action for Children has given me more than a roof. For the first time, I feel safe, seen, and truly cared for. It's like a family. I don't think I'd want to be anywhere else.
Michael
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