Jamie and Phoenix living their best life in new flat

Jamie Barbour and Phoenix Walker are still buzzing after Bridges Project’s Homemaker Service helped them secure a flat in the centre of North Berwick.

The couple signed their tenancy on 1 May 2023 after initially struggling to afford a home.

“We had been to a few viewings but weren’t able to find anything within our price range,” said Phoenix, 21, a former Knox Academy pupil.

They decided they needed a bit of help and were introduced to the Homemaker Service through another Bridges Project service.

“I was already receiving support from the Personal Development Service at the time and when I told Grant [the Personal Development Worker] that we were struggling to find a place, he told me about the Homemaker Service and put a referral in for me and Phoenix,” said Jamie, a 19-year-old who previously attended Musselburgh Grammar School.

A week after the referral was made, the couple met with Stevie Baxter, the Homemaker Service’s Independent Living Support Worker. He helped them with activities such as completing an application to East Lothian Housing Association and attending housing options meetings and supported them through the process of identifying a home.

“They were so diligent. They were a real credit to themselves,” said Stevie.

“They were bidding for properties every week until they finally received the message that their application was successful.”

After securing the flat in the heart of North Berwick, Stevie helped Jamie and Phoenix with inspecting the property, signing the tenancy agreement and setting up Council Tax payments and electricity and internet providers.

The couple were over the moon when they were able to move in.

“We grabbed the keys and started decorating right away!” said Jamie.

He added:

“It was exciting as we finally felt like proper independent adults. As soon as we moved out from our respective family homes and into our own place, I felt like I could actually be myself. Having that space has improved my relationship with my family too.”

The new homeowners praised Stevie’s role in helping them settle into their flat.

“Stevie was always there for us. If we gave him a text, we would always hear from him right away. He always got involved when we didn’t know what to do and sorted things out for us. I wouldn’t even know where to start if it wasn’t for Stevie,” said Jamie.

Phoenix agrees.

“I learned more about independent living skills from Stevie than I did during six years at high school!” they said.

Jamie also praised the support he received from Bridges Project’s Personal Development Service.

“Having support from Grant was great. It gave me someone to talk to when I had a bad week and allowed me to just get things out. Some people try to dig deeper when there isn’t anything deeper there but Grant was just there to understand and listen. He was really good at listening and giving advice,” he said.

“Overall, I think Bridges Project is a really good place to go to for young people to get ready for adult life.”

With a flat in place, Jamie and Phoenix are now able to focus on carving out their future. Jamie is currently doing an Arts & Design course at Edinburgh College and hopes to one day become a tattoo artist. Phoenix is also looking at going down the creative path.

“I have done some acting before and have just been in touch with someone involved in a stage play about potentially taking part so acting is something I might consider pursuing,” they said.

Are we witnessing a future creative power couple? That remains to be seen but in the meantime, Jamie and Phoenix can enjoy their first full year in their new North Berwick flat!