Arianne

From a trainee with no prior experience to a Deputy Team Manager, Arianne’s journey shows the impact you can have on young people’s lives while developing your own skills and confidence.

What drew you to work at Single Homeless Project

So, I applied for the trainee role, and that felt like a big step. The way it was set up, and what I was told when I started, made it feel really supportive, a good way to step into this field. Before that, I’d only been at uni, so I’d never worked in accommodation or the homeless sector.

I wanted to get into work that focused on community and support. I wanted to work with people in a way that could genuinely help them and change their lives for the better.

What was your experience like as a trainee?

Single Homeless Project really helped me build connections across the organisation. Going to trainee-specific and mandatory trainings, often in a more compressed timeframe than a young person’s worker, allowed me to meet people repeatedly and share experiences.

We also had a trainee WhatsApp group, which was great for ongoing support. Trainings on mental health, substance use, and reflections gave me structure and helped me think about my approach in different situations. Overall, it created a strong foundation for me to grow into my next role.

Can you walk me through your career path so far?

I started as a trainee project worker and then moved into the young person’s worker role. After two years here, I’m now Deputy Team Manager. Each step has been about learning, growing, and understanding the work more deeply and I’ve always felt supported. As a team, everyone is so friendly ad you always know that they have your back. And the young people we support feel this too – that we’re all there for them.

What would you say has helped shape your success so far? 

Success really depends on having a good manager. My manager makes sure he’s up to date with the young people, guides you through handovers, and advises on approaches. But he also lets you make your own decisions and bring your personality into the work.

He ensures protected time for training, handovers, and team meetings, so you’re not constantly caught up in the day-to-day chaos. Having that structure and support has been important for my growth.

What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself through your career journey here? 

I’ve learned to trust myself. When I started, every decision felt huge and I questioned myself a lot, should I do this? Call that person? Knock on their door? I used to overthink everything.

Now, because I’ve had such a good manager and been encouraged to bring my own personality and ideas in, I feel confident interacting with the young people. You might make a mistake, but if you own up, apologise, and reflect on the next steps, it’s fine.

What do you enjoy most about working here? 

The best moments are when you’re just being silly with a young person, joking, playing games, or having little inside jokes. Some young people have been here for years and building that rapport is really special.

Of course, it’s rewarding to see someone overcome a challenge or get into college, but those small moments of connection eg laughing, joking, just being present – are the most fun.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about joining Single Homeless Project?

I’d say give it a go. Of course, there’ll be challenging days, but if you stick around, you’ll see the impact you’re having and it’s very rewarding. It’s a great job because you jump around a lot – one moment you’re in a professional meeting, then you’re having a deep conversation with a young person, then you could be showing them how to cook something. There’s a lot of flexibility.

Of course, it’s rewarding to see someone overcome a challenge or get into college, but those small moments of connection e.g., laughing, joking, just being present are the most fun. 

What is a big thing for you that stands out at the charity?

If there’s something you’re interested in or think you can improve, there’s such a supportive environment here and you’re encouraged to create your own space.

For example, Lucy works on women’s rough sleeper projects, and Marianne focuses on digital inclusion. They noticed gaps and made a difference. It’s amazing how much one person can achieve here, and if you have an idea, you can go for it.