Platform 51

Platform 51 supports girls and women as they take control of their lives.

what we do

meet the women we work with

Natasha

I’ve been to prison 27 times for shoplifting. Then and I was referred to Platform 51.

I was battling alcohol and drug addictions. Because of this my two sons were placed under a voluntary residential order with my sister.

When I went to Platform 51 I was homeless, depressed and stressed. At the programme I got support, counselling and legal and housing advice. Slowly, I began to change my life.

It’s been two years since I gave up alcohol and heroin. I have a beautiful baby daughter who I’m so proud of, and I’ve regained contact with my sons which I’m thrilled about.

I feel so much more confident now, like I’m growing every day. I’m now doing a level two customer service course and I’m going to train to be a support worker.

I’ve gone to different meetings and spoken to a few Home Office ministers on behalf of other women from the programme. I’m proud of my achievements and I want to help other women to be proud of theirs too.

I won the Woman of the Year award and can’t begin to describe how it feels to have achieved this. I felt tearful when I accepted it, thinking how far I’ve come and of all the people who’ve helped me.