A mother and her eight-year-old son found themselves homeless and forced to spend more than a year in temporary accommodation after being served an eviction notice.
Shantel Morris and her 8-year-old son were evicted and became homeless in September 2022 after the landlord reclaimed the flat they were living in.
Her journey was marked by a long battle before they finally secured a place in the local area with the help of legal aid.
She said: “I felt very isolated and felt very alone like no one was going to help me.”
The process of getting a house was filled with a lot of paperwork and Morris struggled with the application and legal terminology.
She said: “As someone who is fairly educated, I thought I could do this.”
Shantel went to legal aid and found a solicitor who helped her.
After more than a year of battling the system and living in temporary accommodation, the moment Shantel finally received the news she’d been offered permanent housing was a relief.
For Shantel and her son getting the keys to their own home was about reclaiming dignity, privacy and peace of mind.
She said: “Just having your own space, not having to worry about who’s behind your back or who’s coming out of the toilet meant everything.”
During her time in temporary accommodation, Shantel began to notice a pattern-families just like hers, struggling in silence.
She said: “I met so many vulnerable families, people with mental health issues and disabilities and they had no extra support and thought someone has to do something.”
Morris Mission (MM) was born on March 11th 2025, an organisation dedicated to supporting families facing eviction, homelessness and housing insecurities.
MM runs living experiences workshops by Shantel for tips and techniques to homeless applicants, step by step guides, Q&A sessions and realistic housing education.
She said: “We want people to understand the systems clearly and not get false hope.
“But we also want them to feel supported and not alone.”
Shantel’s ambition is to expand Morris Mission beyond her local borough of Bexley and eventually reach families across London and beyond.
She said: “If another council wants us to come in, we will be there.
“I also want to train councils and housing associations, to help them understand how to support people like us better.”
She is also working hard toward completing her law degree, which she is set to finish next year, further equipping her to advocate for vulnerable families and challenge systemic injustice.
To anyone currently facing homelessness, eviction or isolation that can come with it, Shantel offers one powerful piece of advice.
She said: “You are not your environment. You might have to live in a place like that, but don’t let your mind live there too.
“Go to the park, visit a friend or just take a walk. It’s only a stepping stone. It’s not forever.”
To know more about the help and support offered by Morris Mission visit: www.morrismission.com
Feature Image source: Shantel Morris
