Hi Roomsponsors,
We’d like to share Saffron’s story with you, and update you on how well Ryan and Rochana are doing:
Saffron
Saffron was forced to leave home to escape an abusive relationship when she was just 21 years old. Her ex-partner used to control her finances and demand that she gave him more and more money. He also used to make her live by a rota which he created. When he became increasingly aggressive and controlling, Saffron had to leave.
“I was so scared to leave him and he used to threaten that he would kill himself. I also had nowhere else to go, and I was afraid I would have to sleep on the streets. It was partly because of my fear of becoming homeless that I didn’t leave straight away. I was so frightened.”
Unfortunately, Saffron couldn’t move back to her mother’s house as her step-siblings had moved in, and so there wasn’t enough room.
Thankfully Saffron was referred to YMCA where she was given the safe and supportive space she needed. Thanks to the generosity of Roomsponsors like you, she has received counselling to help her recover from the abuse she suffered.
“I now have the space to really heal so I can move forward with my life. I have started to make plans and the luxury of having a safe place gives me time to do it at my pace.”
Saffron has also been receiving support to overcome some of the things she finds harder due to having autism, like making phone calls. Saffron struggles to interpret social cues, and this is even harder to do on the phone. Her keyworker has been helping her with this, and giving her the tools she needs to overcome these obstacles.
Since moving to YMCA six months ago, Saffron’s self-confidence has really grown. She is starting to achieve her ambitions and is now doing a traineeship as a chef. We are excited to share that she has also been offered an apprenticeship to continue working towards her goal of becoming a chef.
“I feel this is a fantastic achievement as I am autistic. My long term career goal is to be an established chef, possibly even head chef. This is something I’d be very proud to achieve.”
Thank you for supporting Saffron to rebuild her life.
Ryan
At just 19 years old Ryan was homeless and sleeping in a tent.
“That was the point things hit rock bottom, really. I felt so low and couldn’t see any future for myself. I’d given up hope to be honest with you. But after a week on the streets, I was referred to YMCA – and that’s when everything changed. I felt safe and secure, and finally had the help I needed from people who cared. I remember being so grateful, and thinking I never want to go back”.
As a Roomsponsor you have supported him to build a brighter future. At YMCA, Ryan found his passion for carpentry and has been doing a carpentry course at college.
We are thrilled to update you that Ryan has passed his level two carpentry course with a double distinction which is an incredible achievement. Ryan is now starting level 3, alongside volunteering for the local council to restore old wooden windmills.
“I would just like to say a massive thank you for the support that you have all given and for showing an interest in how I am doing.”
Rochana
Rochana was taken into care when her grandmother sadly passed away. But when she was 18 years old she had to leave her foster home.
“At the age of 18, I had no option of joining another foster home. I had to turn to supported accommodation through the council, but because of issues with rent, I had to leave. I had nowhere to go and I was so scared that I would have to sleep on the street. Luckily, I found YMCA and they gave me a safe place to stay”.
At YMCA Rochana discovered her talent for photography after taking photos for a YMCA event, and her passion developed from there.
Since you last heard from her, Rochana has joined a heritage project where she will be tracing her personal history. Rochana hopes this will help her gain new skills in research and portraying personal narratives.
Rochana has also been accepted on to a college course to study photography. This is an exciting step towards her ambition to become an event photographer. None of this would have been possible without the kind support of Roomsponsors like you.
“Knowing there are people like you behind us every step of the way means a lot. I just want to say thank you so much”
Thank you for helping to support Saffron, Rochana and Ryan to build bright futures.
Best wishes,
The Roomsponsor Team
It all goes to show what a little love can do. We are so impressed with the progress that you are all making and very proud of you. Thank you for letting us help you along the way.
I am fortunate enough to have a job, a roof over my head and a supportive family around me but I know how easily all of that can change, often in ways that are unexpected and unpredictable. It is a privilege to be able to support others less fortunate than me. I hope you all continue to flourish and achieve your potential and goals in life. It’s really heartening to hear how your lives have been turned around by having a safe and secure place to stay and to grow in. Good luck.
Dear Ryan, Rochana and Saffron, you have all made so much progress in a very short time, you should be very proud of yourselves
I am delighted, that you are now able to follow your career choices, may you all flourish and enjoy the support, security and encouragement that YMCA. provides.
With every good wish,
Norma.
You are all achieving so much, well done. With the support, which you were entitled to all your life and haven’t had, you are now receiving you are proving your strength of character and ability to work hard and persevere. So, well done again. Proud of you .
Thank you to the YMCA for everything they do.
Dear Saffron, Ryan & Rochana well done. You should all be so proud of what you have achieved in a reletively short space of time. Well done for sticking with your dreams and you are all well on the way to achieving your dream goals. It’s so encouraging to know that with the support YMCA offers you have had a chance that otherwise might not have been available. Keep believing in what you can achieve. We’re rooting for you all.
Dear Saffron,Ryan and Rochana. How wonderful to read the stories of your success! I hope you all feel very proud of yourselves. I’m so glad that you found the YMCA and that it was able to offer you a safe space and help you to find a new and exciting path to follow. Good luck to you all and very best wishes. Jenny X