When Joe* came to YMCA he was in a very dark place. His relationship with his family had broken down. He’d left home and had nowhere to stay. On some nights he might find a friend who could offer him a sofa to sleep. On others, he wasn’t so ‘lucky’ and had to sleep in bus shelters. His confidence was crushed and his self-esteem was at an all-time low. He urgently needed support.
Fast-forward a few months and Joe is now living independently in a place of his own. He volunteers in the YMCA café twice a week, is working on his CV, and attends talking therapies arranged by his key-worker, Chloe.
Joe says, “When I arrived, I was very quiet and depressed – but I feel so much more confident and positive now. There’s so much support on offer, and all the staff have helped me in their own way. YMCA has helped me blossom. I feel like I’ve achieved such a lot in a short time.”
*Joe’s story is real, but his name and image have been changed to protect his identity.
