Kellie was a rebellious teenager. By the age of 18 she was constantly arguing with her mum about her party lifestyle.

Things got so bad, Kellie walked out and was homeless for two months before getting a place in a supported housing project run by Nacro.

Two years on, with the support of Nacro staff, Kellie is opening up her own beauty business and is getting on great with her mum.

Kellie says:

“I was always a bit of a handful at school, I was a rebel and didn’t like having to follow rules. I was the girl with my skirt rolled up and my top button undone, always out partying with my mates. After my GCSE’s I went to art college, but dropped out halfway through my second year.

I decided to do a beauty therapy course after that but things got even worse. I was drinking a lot and was out all the time. My mum was worried about me, and we argued about it constantly.

Sofa surfing

Eventually I just packed my bags and walked out. I was a horrible time. I wasn’t speaking to my mum and I felt really emotional. I slept on friends sofas for a couple of months but I knew it couldn’t last forever.

I would turn up at the council every day with my suitcase asking for somewhere to stay. Eventually, they helped me get a place in a housing project in Chelmsford run by Nacro. Not only did they give me a place to stay, they also gave me the emotional support I needed to turn things around.

Getting help

When I first arrived, I was in a bad place. I was so upset about falling out with my mum that was drinking quite a lot and felt like my life was a mess. The Nacro staff are amazing, you can tell them anything and they won’t judge you. They encouraged me to get back in touch with my mum, and we started to rebuild our relationship.

After finishing a year of beauty therapy at college, I started applying for jobs, but the recession meant it was impossible to get work. The staff at Nacro suggested I apply for funding and I couldn’t believe it when I was told I’d been successful.

Beauty business

I got £2,500 start my own freelance beauty business, which I’ve just started running from a spare room at my mum’s house in Galleywood. We get on great now and she’s so proud of how much I’ve grown up.

I’m really excited about having my own business and I can’t wait to expand and grow it in the future. When I look back on my partying days, I can’t believe how much I’ve changed. I’m a businesswoman now and I feel like I’m building a positive future for myself."