Case study: Zara

Zara is a 20 year old British citizen who grew up in north-west London. Despite living in a poor and violent household and being kicked out of home at 15, she managed to excel academically and is now attending university.

OK how can I put it? My dad used to hit my mum. He used to chuck my mum out and I would have to cook, clean, do everything myself while my dad was off with his other girlfriend.

I used to break down a lot, punch walls and get angry. I used to cut my arms. It wasn't suicidal, but I would cut things on my arms, like 'life is shit'.

When my dad kicked me out, I stayed with friends. I used to sleep in the school. I was really up and down. I went to the council to see if I could try and get a place. The council asked me if I had a boyfriend. When I said yes, they said, well, the only way you'll get a flat is if you get pregnant! Then a social worker at school helped me find a place. I felt so free there because my dad didn't know where I was.

I got a job, £4.80 an hour, every Sunday. So it was decent. But let's just say I never really ate a lot or bought a lot. The money i have now is going very quickly. The rent has to be paid. My mum's helping me with food, so i'm alright with that. I come down, get food, bring it up.

The people with money and stability, they say, oh yeah we know how you feel - they really don't. They are looking from the outside in - you can't do that. If you want to help someone or you want to be a so-called council for the borough, you've got to look from the inside out. Money, yeah, fair enough, it makes the world go around but at the same time, half these people who are rich, it's us that's working for them, and yet they are giving nothing back. They can pay their way through life, whereas we've got to work our way through it.

My mum found an after-school club and I went there from the age of six - it really kept me motivated. The only people saying to me 'you can do it' were the people at the club. I came out of school with the most fantastic grades.

I found out in June 2008 I got into university to do Child Psychology. I want to work with kids that have been through what I've been through.

Posted on 15 May 2009