Cardinal Hume - Sana's story

‘I’ll be honest with you, my whole life, this is the first place I’ve ever felt safe,’ says Sana.

She has been living at the Cardinal Hume Centre for three years after fleeing domestic violence at home.

‘There was a lot of abuse at home, for so many years. I had to escape.’

Before arriving at the Centre, she spent a short period in temporary accommodation in East London and was then referred to us by another hostel.

For Sana, being at the Centre has been transformational. She says,’ Because it is a safe environment you start to heal better. You can start to move on with your life, build your life slowly.’

Over time, she has formed strong ties with other residents. ‘You build connections with people. I’ve made friends with residents who have left and I’m still friends with them now,’ she says. Those friendships and support from the staff have helped create stability and belonging.

She says even small everyday moments matter, from knowing staff are on hand to support day and night, to celebrating birthdays, sharing a fun WhatsApp group, and baking late into the night with other residents.

Residents have a voice in the hostel. Sana says the regular meetings are a good opportunity to exchange ideas with other residents. People are encouraged to talk openly about improvements and ideas. She says, ‘The main topics are what can we do to improve the hostel, any complaints, any positive things, any ideas for trips like bowling, escape rooms, or Winter Wonderland.’

Sana is studying pharmacy at university and hopes to become a hospital pharmacist. Alongside her studies, she volunteers with St John Ambulance and draws and paints – including decorating the hostel’s walls – in her spare time.

Now, alongside her studies and volunteering, Sana is rebuilding confidence, routine and independence. From safety to stability, and from isolation to connection, she is steadily shaping a future that once felt out of reach.