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Homeless at 9-years-old Homeless at nine years old
(10 minutes later)
Nine-year-old Melanie and her family are homeless By Judy Hobson BBC Radio 5 Live Nine-year-old Melanie and her family are homeless
Nine-year-old Melanie has a sister, two brothers and a best friend called Molly. What she doesn't have is a permanent place to live.Nine-year-old Melanie has a sister, two brothers and a best friend called Molly. What she doesn't have is a permanent place to live.
Melanie's family is homeless, one of an estimated 70,000 currently living in temporary accommodation in the UK.Melanie's family is homeless, one of an estimated 70,000 currently living in temporary accommodation in the UK.
She told BBC Radio 5 Live's Victoria Derbyshire show more about her life.She told BBC Radio 5 Live's Victoria Derbyshire show more about her life.
For now, Melanie's home is Plas Bellin Hall, a centre in Wales which provides accommodation for 24 homeless families.For now, Melanie's home is Plas Bellin Hall, a centre in Wales which provides accommodation for 24 homeless families.
It aims to be a safe and secure environment, offering support and advice needed to lift its residents out of housing exclusion.It aims to be a safe and secure environment, offering support and advice needed to lift its residents out of housing exclusion.
But it is not designed to be a long-term solution.But it is not designed to be a long-term solution.
That lingering insecurity is something Melanie feels keenly, which she recorded in a blog for 5 Live's Victoria Derbyshire's show.That lingering insecurity is something Melanie feels keenly, which she recorded in a blog for 5 Live's Victoria Derbyshire's show.
She said she likes the hall and the staff are kind, "but you can't live here in Plas Bellin all your life, and I don't think that's fair".She said she likes the hall and the staff are kind, "but you can't live here in Plas Bellin all your life, and I don't think that's fair".
"I don't know where we will go next," she said."I don't know where we will go next," she said.
"We'll get kicked off here soon and I don't know where we'll live."We'll get kicked off here soon and I don't know where we'll live.
"I'm worried me and my brothers will have to be put into care and my mum and dad will live on the streets.""I'm worried me and my brothers will have to be put into care and my mum and dad will live on the streets."
EvictedEvicted
Before coming to the centre, Melanie's family spent seven years renting accommodation in Denby, Derbyshire, before they were evicted in January.Before coming to the centre, Melanie's family spent seven years renting accommodation in Denby, Derbyshire, before they were evicted in January.
The landlord said he had to sell the property.The landlord said he had to sell the property.
"If we hadn't come here, we'd be in one room in a bed and breakfast," said Darren, Melanie's father, who is an unemployed panel beater."If we hadn't come here, we'd be in one room in a bed and breakfast," said Darren, Melanie's father, who is an unemployed panel beater.
"Can you imagine that?""Can you imagine that?"
FROM BBC RADIO 5 LIVE More from BBC Radio 5 liveFROM BBC RADIO 5 LIVE More from BBC Radio 5 live
Darren feared that the children could also have been placed in care.Darren feared that the children could also have been placed in care.
Plas Bellin Hall is run by the charity Save the Family.Plas Bellin Hall is run by the charity Save the Family.
It offers housing for families with members of any age, so long as there is no history of drug or alcohol abuse, paedophilia or violence.It offers housing for families with members of any age, so long as there is no history of drug or alcohol abuse, paedophilia or violence.
Save the Family's chief executive Tim McLachlan says there is an enormous demand for this type of accommodation and support.Save the Family's chief executive Tim McLachlan says there is an enormous demand for this type of accommodation and support.
Every day Plas Bellin Hall has to turn away up to eight families.Every day Plas Bellin Hall has to turn away up to eight families.
"It's alright here", says Debby, Melanie's mother. "It's good for the kids. There's a lot for them to do.""It's alright here", says Debby, Melanie's mother. "It's good for the kids. There's a lot for them to do."
Plas Bellin Hall offers children games and activities, including classes in singing, dancing, drama, art and cooking.Plas Bellin Hall offers children games and activities, including classes in singing, dancing, drama, art and cooking.
One of the resident fathers takes football practice, which is a big hit with Melanie's eight-year-old brother Simon.One of the resident fathers takes football practice, which is a big hit with Melanie's eight-year-old brother Simon.
The centre has kitchens and a large dining area so that the families can eat together if they want to.The centre has kitchens and a large dining area so that the families can eat together if they want to.
There are lessons in parenting, cooking and budgeting.There are lessons in parenting, cooking and budgeting.
SupportSupport
Like other children at the centre, Melanie goes to a local school.Like other children at the centre, Melanie goes to a local school.
"My friends there think I'm a bit weird," she writes in her blog."My friends there think I'm a bit weird," she writes in her blog.
"They know I'm homeless and I think they feel sorry for me, and they think it's really weird we can't keep pets here."They know I'm homeless and I think they feel sorry for me, and they think it's really weird we can't keep pets here.
"I think it's weird too. And some of the kids don't like me coz I live here.""I think it's weird too. And some of the kids don't like me coz I live here."
Save the Family says it aims to integrate families back into the community.Save the Family says it aims to integrate families back into the community.
They stay at Plas Bellin for an average of five and a half months, after which they are moved to outreach houses.They stay at Plas Bellin for an average of five and a half months, after which they are moved to outreach houses.
Although families live there independently, they have continued support from the charity and have regular contact with workers from the centre.Although families live there independently, they have continued support from the charity and have regular contact with workers from the centre.
BBC Radio 5 Live's Victoria Derbyshire show will follow her life over the next few months.BBC Radio 5 Live's Victoria Derbyshire show will follow her life over the next few months.