Are you ready to leave home?

Think about what is important to you and look through this list to see how practical it is to leave.

• Do you know how to find somewhere to live?
• Are you up for doing your own washing and ironing?
• Can you name 5 people you will be able to keep in touch with after you leave home?
• Have you enough money for a deposit and the first month's rent?
• Do you know how to claim benefits if you need help to pay the rent?
• Do you know what furniture you will need to get?
• Would you move to an area away from your friends and family?
• Will you know where to get help or support if you need it?
• If you have a pet would a landlord let you keep it?
• If you do get a place do you know anything about your rights?

A few more things...

• How much rent can you afford?
• After the rent, how much will you have to pay for food, gas, electricity, phone, TV licence fee and Council tax?
• How much money will you have to spend on furniture, TV, cookers etc?
• Do you want to live alone or share with others?
• Who will do your cooking?
• Where will you do your washing?

Finally, is there anything else you can think you would need to sort out?

As you can see, there is a lot to think about. Friends who have already left home can often offer the best advice. Talking to your family, or going to an advice centre before you leave can also help.

You may decide that leaving is not your only option. It might be that with some help you can sort things out with your parents or the people you live with. Speak to a worker at your youth club or to someone at your local Grapevine Information and Advice Centre (www.glosgrapevine.co.uk) who might be able to help out.