Hi Roomsponsors,
My name is Lydia and I am Amber’s keyworker. You may remember Amber, who was introduced to you back in early 2017. We previously explained how Amber had a difficult home life whilst growing up, due to a relationship breakdown with her mother, and her biological father being in prison. After years of struggling, she ended up leaving the family home and became homeless.
However, as we start the New Year, I thought it would be nice to share an update with you about the excellent progress Amber has made since being with us at YMCA.
I have worked closely with her since she arrived 18 months ago and we are very pleased with her journey so far. I meet with Amber every 2 weeks for a catch up and I’ll offer advice when needed. She is a very engaged young person and has worked very hard to improve her situation. She previously was very unconfident, but she has recently felt able to speak with other members of staff if I am unavailable, which would have been unthinkable just a year ago. She has built some good relationships with the other keyworkers.
Thanks to these support meetings, Amber is feeling a lot more positive about the future in terms of her health and wellbeing. I supported her in reconnecting with her family, particularly with her mother, and now they are in a much better place despite not seeing each other that often.
Amber enjoys taking part in various groups and activities, particularly the cooking and spirituality classes. Amber took it upon herself to set up a fun gaming cafe for the rest of the residents to enjoy. It consisted of board games, craft, games consoles and a pop up cafe. Amber generously baked fresh cakes for each weekly session to encourage people to come along. She used the skills she learnt at YMCA’s job club to put together a budget and did some fundraising with the fundraising team. We were really impressed with her organisation and she made a great host. She really enjoyed baking for others and playing games with the other residents.
I have worked with Amber to put her in touch with an external mentor from a local law firm who, using their business experience is currently helping her to apply for barbering apprenticeships. This is what she would like to pursue after already having some salon experience and studying for two years at college. Amber is finding her new mentor to be really helpful and appreciates having someone else to talk to.
Amber has also been doing some business courses and as part of this, she got to meet the local premier league rugby team which was a very inspiring highlight for her.
She is very grateful for all of your support through being a Roomsponsor and can’t thank you enough.
I would also like to say an enormous thank you to you for your support. I see first-hand the challenges so many young people face and how having the support and belief from you, can make such a difference.
Lydia
Amber’s Keyworker
Than k you for that very encouraging story, so good to see Amber its really making the most of every opportunity to make a good life for herself. And I feel so pleased to have been able to put in a very tiny handful of help, it is a great privilege to have felt useful. The very best of luck to amber, and to the Y.
Well done Amber you are making such good progress. The best of luck to Amber and all good wishes. Amber you should be proud of your achievements.