Young People’s Stories

Randy had to leave his family and travel across the world to start a new life free from persecution. He is living in 24 hour supported housing and thriving.

After years of struggling with poor mental health, Kai moved into our 24-hour supported accomodation and finally began to get the help he needed.

Nathan was struggling with his family relationships and mental health after coming out to his family at 15. Our Youth Advice Service found him specialist help.

Georgia had her independence taken away from her when her living situation became unmanageable. She was given a home at YMCA DownsLink Group and received support to reconnect with her family and learn vital life skills.

Poppy didn’t realise she was being subjected to sexual exploitation. Spending time with a YMCA WiSE project worker opened her eyes to the reality of her situation.

Nader left his home country when he was just 14 and after a difficult journey he arrived in the UK as an unaccompanied asylum seeking child. Nader was given a home at YMCA DownsLink Group and was supported to learn English, attend college and take part in lots of activities.

Vivian had a tough time as a teenager and faced multiple barriers which were causing a lot of upset and confusion. He came across our Youth Advice Centre and felt understood for the first time.

Stacy was referred to our support and advice service after having trouble with her mental health. She started working with one of our support workers and has been feeling a lot happier in herself since. 

Mollie's anxious thoughts were taking over her life and stopping her from being independent. But when she started seeing a YMCA counsellor, she was empowered to gain back control.

Tina found the support she received from our YMCA WiSE service invaluable following a difficult period in her life when she had been groomed by two older men.

Amanuel travelled to the UK from Ethiopia when he was just a teenager. He’s been living in our supported accommodation for a year and a half and with help from his Project Worker, he’s embraced everything about YMCA.

After a confusing period of time, Liam was made to leave his mum’s house and ended up living in an airport for two months. Eventually, Liam was given a home in our supported accommodation and began to rebuild a stable life.

Jack came out as gay when he was 15. His family struggled to accept it and it caused tension and arguments at home. The situation came to a head when Jack was 16. After a huge row his Dad threw him out.

Ben had a difficult time growing up and was thrown out of home at just 15. Through the perseverance of a teacher, Ben was given a home in our 24-hour supported accommodation and life got better. 

Becky is 19 and left home after her Dad’s drinking became too much for her to cope with. Her mum died when she was 10 and her Dad turned to alcohol to deal with his grief. She moved in with her boyfriend at 17 as a way to get away from her Dad, but when that didn’t work out she found herself facing homelessness.

Following on from two lockdowns and starting a new school, Sam was suffering from social anxiety. After reluctantly started therapy with us, Sam settled into the sessions and his worries began to lessen.

Susie ended up alone at 18 when her little sister was taken into care. She was struggling to cope and stopped going to college. Since moving into our 24-hour supported accommodation she is thriving. She's back at college and dreams of being an astrophysicist.

What does Chaplaincy really mean to the young people we support? One resident, Daniel, who has recently ‘moved on’ to a transitional property from a Foyer, explained the difference Chaplaincy made to him.

Emi is one of our e-wellbeing Youth Researchers. After experiencing her own mental health struggles at a young age, Emi was determined to help other young people like herself.

Maya’s childhood was filled with instability as she constantly moved around the country. She found a home in our supported accommodation when she was just 16 and started to build up her life skills and create some consistency with our support.

Millie had a difficult childhood which impacted her mental health and resulted in her leaving home at just 16. She was given a home in our 24-hour supported accommodation and life began to improve when she received the wraparound care and consistent support she needed.

At just 16, Temesgen had to leave his family in Ethiopia and start a new life in the UK. He was given a home with us and received support to learn English, take part in volunteering and join in with YMCA activities.

A year ago, Josh was facing homelessness. He was having trouble at home and didn't get on with his parents. After moving into our supported accommodation, Josh took every opportunity he could to help other people like him.

A heart attack permanently altered Mapalo's mum's personality. Forced to go to school with a suitcase full of her belongings, Mapalo would present herself as homeless. Things changed when she turned 18.

Adi is an unaccompanied asylum–seeking young person who threw himself into every opportunity when he moved into our supported accommodation despite facing huge adversity.

After a chaotic few years Archie found stability at the YMCA. Now, with help from YMCA’s Life Change Fund he’s all set to take another big step forwards.

Dani's life had been chaotic and unstable. Her social worker referred her to YMCA DownsLink Group, and, with the help of her YMCA WiSE project worker, she began to make better decisions around relationships and her future.

Alysha had a difficult childhood, full of arguments and tension, which led to her battling with her mental health. Thrown out at 17 with nowhere to go, she sofa surfed at friend’s houses until she was given a safe home with us.

Dylan ran away from home when he was 14 and got involved with drugs to help him cope but ended up in hospital after suffering from a nervous breakdown.

Rukshi was left homeless at 20 and lost custody of her daughter during a couple of difficult years. She’s now living in our 24 hour supported accommodation and has begun to rebuild her life and her relationship with her daughter.

Dee dreams of being a champion. She wants to represent Britain as part of the GB boxing team. Despite facing challenges as a teenager, with our support, she’s thriving and is working hard to turn her dreams into reality.  

An incident at home led to a relationship breakdown between 17 year old Leo and his mum. His mum reached out for help from our Family Mediation Service as she was close to evicting him.