“Without the support I received from The Children’s Society, I wouldn’t have been able to sort out the problems I’ve had.” Andy, 16

“I knew I couldn't go home and I had nowhere to go. I had no money, no clothes - nothing. I wasn't on the streets long because thankfully I was given information about Safe in the City, a project run by The Children's Society which helps children who have run away…When I think about all that I have been through, I just hope that other children can be helped and that there will be someone there to listen and believe them. I hope that these new guidelines drawn up by Safe in the City will help the police, schools and other people know what to do if they come into contact with young runaways.” Sarah, 15-year old runaway

“I didn’t want to go but I had no choice. I was literally forced out… When you’re homeless, there’s no one to encourage you. The Childrens Society is brilliant, it’s given me a bit of a kick start to give me the opportunity to make something of my life. Once I’ve finished my A levels, I’m going to university to become a social worker, so that I can help children who’ve been through similar problems to me.”
Marlicah, teenage runaway

“A week before my 12th birthday, mum died. Dad couldn’t cope and started drinking heavily. Then he lost his job, and became angry and bitter. I started getting into trouble and skipping school. Dad and I had a horrible row and he threatened to throw me out. That was the first time I ran away, I came back after a night but running away was an escape from my problems, so I kept doing it. One time we stayed in a graveyard for the night, another time some of the older kids took me to a squat that was full of cockroaches and filthy. We were hungry a lot of the time and the older ones showed me how to do shoplifting. Some of them were doing drugs and robbing all of the time to get the cash to buy the stuff.”

“Some of those other kids on the streets were just wrecks at seventeen, on drugs, into crime, a real mess. What scared me was that I was heading the same way. At the end of the day I just wanted things to be the way they were, to be happy at home and school and for things to be normal. I know I can never bring mum back and that still makes me really sad, but things are so much better now and I really am thankful for that.”
Mandy, 14 year old runaway

“ I never got on with my dad and we always had massive rows. I used to run away and I’d go and escape to my friends a few miles away from where I lived. I’d stay with them a few days…‘Social Services has helped me quite a bit… but they probably haven’t helped me as much as they could do. They do try, but sometimes they can’t offer as much as they should.”
Mark, teenage runaway