in this episode of zi’s corner, i begin part one of a three part series exploring the care experience through lived reality, not labels.
this episode focuses on housing, stability, and the transition from being a looked after child to becoming a care leaver. turning 18 is often framed as freedom. for many of us, it feels more like a discharge into adulthood without a safety net.
using maslow’s hierarchy of needs as a lens, i unpack why housing is not “just accommodation” but the foundation of everything. when safety and shelter are unstable, confidence, education, employment, and mental health all become harder to sustain.
i share my experience of waiting five years for permanent accommodation, discovering water damage after signing my tenancy, moving multiple times in a short period, and learning how to advocate for myself with the support of settle. this is not about blame. it is about accountability, systems, and what corporate parenting should mean in practice.
i also previously featured on the settle down podcast with settle, where we spoke about housing, stability, and leaving care. you can listen here:
https://shows.acast.com/settle-down-podcast/episodes/6932fa01a63c6eaa5968fe5a
care experienced people are often reduced to statistics. behind every statistic is a nervous system, a young person, and a story that rarely gets told properly.
disclaimer: this episode contains discussion of suicide, mental health struggles, housing instability, and systemic challenges within social care. please listen with care. if anything feels overwhelming, consider reaching out to someone you trust or a professional support service in your area.
sources and references:
my insta: @zizaanjum
maslow, a. h. (1943). a theory of human motivation. psychological review, 50(4), 370 to 396.
department for education (2023). children looked after in england including adoptions.
https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/
department for education (2023). outcomes for children in need, including children looked after by local authorities.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-children-in-need
become charity (2022). care leaver survey findings on housing and support.
settle, uk charity supporting care experienced young people with housing and financial stability.
https://www.wearesettle.org/
part two will explore identity, attachment, and how growing up in care shapes your sense of self long before you turn 18.
take care x
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