Life on the streets was 'scary' and 'unbearable'

Amelia Teare, in the red dress, said life on the streets was "really scary" as a vulnerable woman

A woman who turned her life around after spending months living on the streets, said it became "unbearable".

Amelia Teare, 29, from Dorset, struggled with addiction and slept in doorways across Exeter for about three months after she "lost her way" during lockdown.

"Being a vulnerable female specifically it's really scary being alone and outside. I didn't want to change, I didn't want to be a better person," she said.

After arriving at YMCA Exeter in 2024, Ms Teare studied British Sign Language at the city's university and was awarded the national YMCA Young Achiever of the Year Award on Friday for the inspiring path of recovery, purpose and service she had built over the past year.

'Rebuild my life'

Ms Teare said she was in disbelief after winning the award, which was announced at City Central at the Honourable Artillery Company in London.

"I couldn't believe it when my name was announced," she said.

"It means so much to have won this award. I'm just so grateful to my family and all the staff at YMCA Exeter for the amazing support they've given me."

Ms Teare said she began to spiral after ending up on the streets, and thought she would lose her family.

She said: "One Christmas they [my family] actually came to pick me up right outside from the street, scoop me up into the car, attempt to sober me up a bit.

"Honestly, they've just done so much for me over the years.

Ms Teare said breaking the cycle of addiction was the "hardest thing" she had ever done.

"I tried over the years to get better but nothing really worked," she said.

She said the YMCA helped support her and provided a "safe place to start rebuilding my life again."

"I think this time I just, I truly wanted to be well again and that makes the world of difference. You really want to have to do it for yourself," she added.

"I reflect on how far I've come and I just can't believe it, I'm so grateful."

Ms Teare hopes to pursue a career using her British sign language skills and said she had recently passed her first exam.