'I was homeless in Leeds - and now I'm helping others turn their lives around'

An inspirational Leeds care leaver who spent three years homeless is now helping other young people avoid the struggles she faced after leaving care.

Having been in care her whole life, Chloe Smith found herself unprepared when she aged out of the care system at 18.

Struggling to manage her tenancy correctly and with no support network around her, she soon found herself homeless and, aged just 19, spent time sleeping on people’s sofas.

The 24-year-old is now using social media and workshops to help other young people prepare for independent living - and has scooped an award for her tireless work.

“I stayed here, there and everywhere all over Leeds,” Chloe told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“It was terrifying to walk through the city centre late at night. And with no support network, if something were to happen, then who am I supposed to call?

“I’ve worked incredibly hard to turn those experiences into something positive - and I’m now using my own journey to help others.”

After experiencing homelessness for three years, Chloe started attending events run by Archway, a Leeds City Council-run service that provides a support network for care leavers.

Hearing the experiences of other care leavers first-hand, she was inspired to set up her own Independent Living Workshop, supporting care leavers and young people with the transition into living independently.

Following the success of these workshops and keen to share her experiences more widely, Chloe took to social media and set up ‘Homeless to Home Leeds’, which has since garnered over 13,000 followers on TikTok.

Now able to reach young people far beyond Leeds, she uses her channel to share her experiences, raise awareness of issues affecting care leavers and use the platform to educate and connect with other young people.

“I share everything online and people have really resonated with that, especially other care leavers knowing that it’s not just them and that there are others who also are trying their best.

“It’s about sharing my journey, people enjoying it, and championing me along the way.”

The 24-year-old’s tireless work to amplify the voices of care-experienced young people saw her scoop Young Person of the Year at the Child Friendly Leeds Awards.

Now in its tenth edition, the awards shine a spotlight on the achievements of children and young people across Leeds, as well as the adults and organisations who support them.

Next week, Chloe is set to have a commemorative star named after her on the Light Shopping Centre in Leeds city centre - as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations.

Dedicating the award to the care community, she had a message for every young person who has experienced care, homelessness or adversity.

“Never let anyone else’s expectation of you become yours,” Chloe said.

“Your care experience is your superpower and you don’t have to have everything figured out at 18 or even 24.

“Just take every day one step at a time and remember you’re not just a statistic, you’re a human and you matter.”