Andrea
‘They see me like a mum and they know I’m there for them’
Read Andrea’s story here:
Andrea's Story
After 17 years as a teaching assistant, Andrea Gardener was ready for a new chapter – one where she could make an even deeper impact.
In 2023, she found her purpose at Nightsafe, a Blackburn-based charity dedicated to supporting young people aged 16 – 25 who are at risk of homelessness.
Andrea, 54, said: “I just needed a total change in my life. Nightsafe stood out because it’s local and I wanted to do something with real meaning.”
Nightsafe offers everything from a warm bed for the night to long-term housing solutions. Young people also receive help with day-to-day essentials, emotional wellbeing, and the life skills needed to move forward with confidence.
Andrea, from Witton, has found her second home in Nightsafe’s Anchor Avenue project, which offers six young people a stable stepping stone towards independent living. Four of the beds are for young people who are homeless, and two are ‘leaving care’ beds for those transitioning out of either foster care placements or other supported placements that are no longer appropriate to accommodate.
As housing coordinator at Anchor Avenue, Andrea leads a team of staff and offers residents far more than just a place to stay. The staff provide emotional support and teaching vital life skills such as budgeting and cooking.
Andrea has naturally stepped into the role of a maternal figure, which is something that the young people recognise and value. “Some of them see me like a mum, especially because a lot of them haven’t had that stability at home,” she says. “Whether it’s for a chat in the lounge or help with a dentist appointment, I tell them that I’m here if they need me.”
Life at Anchor Avenue comes with its challenges, but the focus is always on growth, learning and second chances. Nightsafe has a clear system in place – a series of warnings, support notice plans to help the young people get through some challenges but also that can ultimately lead to placements breaking down at times.
Yet even when tough decisions must be made, the support doesn’t end. “Even when a young person leaves our service, we’re still there for them,” Andrea explains. “We never just turn our backs.”
There have been success stories among the many young people that Andrea has supported. One resident, who overcame a tough start in life, is now studying art at college with dreams of becoming a forensic artist and another is working towards a career in construction.
“Watching them flourish is like seeing your own kids do well,” Andrea says. “You can’t save them all, but it’s great when you do help even one of them find their path.”
Andrea said people have misconceptions about housing projects. “Some people think they’re troublemakers. These young people have been through so much and they just need someone to believe in them.”
Working at Nightsafe isn’t just a job for Andrea, it’s a way of life. “My husband always says, ‘Why are you always thinking about work?’ But you can’t just turn it off. These young people are my family now.”
Looking to the future, Andrea dreams of Nightsafe growing even bigger, so more young people have access to the nurturing environment she helps create every day. “We desperately need more projects like this,” she urges. “Too many young people are being left with nowhere safe to go. Nightsafe gives them a chance at a real future.”
