Hi Roomsponsor,
My name is Bradley, I am 18 years old and have been with YMCA now for almost a year. I wanted to share my story with you as without the support of YMCA, I don’t know where I would be today.
When I was 9 years old my mum passed away after being diagnosed with cancer. This was hard for me, I went to live with my older sister because reaching out to my dad was not really an option as I had rarely had any contact with him. A couple of years later, I was devastated to find out that my sister was also diagnosed with cancer so I had to move into a foster home. It was heart-breaking to see her condition worsening so quickly, and sadly, she passed away soon after she was diagnosed. I was distraught when I found out I had lost another family member to cancer.
When I first arrived at my foster home at age 11, I was told that I would only be there for the weekend while my social worker found me somewhere suitable to settle down, but I ended up staying there for over five years. My foster carer at first was good to me, she looked after me and helped me with school. However, just before I turned 16 everything changed. I am not sure why, but our relationship was different, we were arguing a lot and one day we had a falling out and it was time for me to move out.
I then moved into a children’s home which was difficult. There was a lot of negative behaviour from the other children there and it was hard to live with them. I remember there was one time the other children there ruined a football top I owned which was dedicated to my mum. I was very sad. I also had a hard time in school during that time as I was bullied by some of the other kids for not having a family.
I have suffered with scoliosis since I was really young, which is a condition that affects my spine and causes a lot of pain, and I am visually impaired after losing my sight in my left eye when I was around 14. This made it even more difficult to fit in at school. I can be in a lot of pain with my back, and have always had to take medication to help the pain when it is really bad. I try not to speak about it much because I don’t want to feel different to others, but it can be really painful. Also, when I found out I was blind in my left eye, I was worried about not being able to play sports anymore.
I was told I had to leave the Children’s home at the at of 18, as you’re not longer considered a child any longer. This was a scary time for me because I had no where to go. I’m so thankful to be referred to YMCA and met Clare, my current keyworker. If it wasn’t for YMCA, I think I would be have been living on the streets. Clare and I meet every week, and she helps me look for jobs, how to budget and also how to build on my independency skills and I am so grateful.
I’m proud to tell you I stayed in school and worked really hard. I went to a different college to study an NVQ in professional cooking, and Clare supported me with all of this. I am currently doing a level 3 Food and Beverage course and I really want to go to university to study International Business Management and events. I want to work in hotel restaurants with the aim to have my own business one day. If I didn’t have the support of YMCA when I turned 18, I would have had no one to turn to and wouldn’t have had these opportunities.
As I mentioned, finding out that I was going to lose my sight in one of my eyes was really tough and I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to play sport anymore. But things took a positive turn at YMCA, I had the opportunity to play cricket and join the visually impaired team with my friends who also live at YMCA. Playing with other people who are fully blind has really made me appreciate how difficult it can be but also that my eyesight doesn’t have to stop me from enjoying sport.
I am so grateful to YMCA for providing me with a safe place to stay when I had no where else to go and all the support and care I have been given.
Thank you so much for your support. Because of your generosity, YMCA are able to help more young people just like me.
Kind regards,
Bradley
Our government needs to step up and change the system that drops vulnerable 18 years olds into a world with no support. It is really good that YMCA can fill the gap for as many as they do and it’s a great testament to the characters of these young people that they respond so well when help is on hand. However, we should be putting pressure on our MPs to petition for a better system that supports youngsters until they are at least 21 ensuring they have a safe home and a means of earning a living. Bradley – I… Read more »
Thank you for sharing your story, Bradley. Good luck. Wishing you all the best for the future xx
Hi Bradley. I’m sorry to hear of the sadness and difficulties that you have had in your life so far, but I’m so pleased that you are now in the YMCA family!You have done so well to have stayed at school and by your hard work you are now studying the food and beverage course. That is all a wonderful achievement! We wish you every success for your future. Very best wishes. Jenny x
Dear Bradley,
Thank you for your letter. It is a privilege to support people like you. You have not had an easy start in life but you are making wonderful progress. I wish you every success.
Anne Mash
Bradley you should be very proud of yourself having over come such difficulties in your life. Losing your mother and sister is terrible , but also to cope with a spinal problem and then your sight, you must be very strong and have a lot of determination. I am delighted, that you are now have the support of the YMCA and hopefully will be able to enjoy your sport and complete your training in Business Management.
i wish you lots of luck and believe in your own abilities and you will achieve your goals !
All good wishes Norma.