Thea Smitherman - How the College’s Entitlement and Support Team helped sort out my accommodation worries and financial difficulties.
When I was 14, my parents moved our family to France to make a
better life for ourselves.
I decided I wanted to come back to England because I thought I
could get further here in my education as I speak the language. I
researched between 10 and 20 colleges throughout London and Kent
and the people from Lewisham College were really friendly and
helpful on the phone so I decided to come here.
I got a place on a course here which started in February. Before
coming here, I was worried about my accommodation. If I didn't have
anywhere to stay I would've been on the street. But the College's
Entitlement and Support Team (ES Team) helped me sort out my
accommodation worries and financial difficulties.
The ES Team have been there to help me with all my paperwork,
and sorted out all my benefits and when I needed the money they've
given me crisis funds.
It's a really good service. It's really supportive, every time I
need them I just go there and they help me out, they're really
considerate.
It's been difficult; I would've felt more alone without the ES
Team behind me. They're like my surrogate mummy and daddy. I feel a
lot more settled now, like I'm getting somewhere, and I'm going to
go on and do a Business BTEC next year.
My parents are really happy. My mum has peace of mind, knowing
that I'm in a safe college and that the ES team are there for
me.