Hi Roomsponsor,
I’m writing to you because I want to tell you how much your support means. I’ve been given so much help since I’ve moved to YMCA, and I know it’s only possible because of supporters like you. I’d like to tell you a bit about me, and how much my life has changed now I’m living at YMCA.
I’m Terry, I’m 24 and I’ve been living at YMCA for about six months now. Before I came to YMCA I was homeless for six years.
I became homeless just before I turned 17 when my mum kicked me out. My relationship with my mum had always been quite turbulent, and she would often let me down. Eventually our relationship completely broke down and she kicked me out. It was just before Christmas. I felt totally abandoned, and completely alone.
I didn’t know what to do, or where to go. I moved around a lot, trying to find somewhere to live. It was really stressful, and frightening. Even though I was homeless and moving around a lot, I managed to stay in college and completed my first year. But then I had to drop out because of my depression. I have struggled with depression for as long as I can remember, but the stress of being homeless made my depression worse and I was finding it hard to cope.
Over the six years that I was homeless I ended up staying in lots of different places. I stayed in a few different emergency hostels, but they weren’t hostels for just young people and most of the people living there were a lot older than me. It felt really isolating not having any one there my own age, and I started to kind of shut down and withdraw. I used to just keep to myself and not really talk to anyone. The staff at the hostel were also very busy, and not really there so I couldn’t ask them for help. I also wasn’t offered any support or help with my depression. It felt like I was just on my own, it was really hard.
Things got so bad that I ended up sleeping on the beach. Sleeping rough out in the open on the beach was really scary, and I was often afraid that something bad was going to happen. It was worse at night when it would get really dark and cold. Even though I was still in my hometown, my family didn’t try to help me.
Eventually, I was referred to YMCA and everything changed. It’s so much better here at YMCA, I have my own room which feels like a huge change after sleeping rough on the beach for so long. And I have a keyworker, Mark. I talk to Mark every day. He’s been helping me with everything, from managing general life tasks like bills, and accessing healthcare, to just being there to talk when I need to. Mark has also been helping me with my depression, I can talk to him about anything. I’m also now on anti-depressants which has really helped.
Living with other young people at YMCA has also made such a big difference. It was a bit difficult when I first moved in as it was a big change after being homeless for so long. I also didn’t really know anyone at first, but I soon got to know everyone.
Many of the young people here have had similar life experiences to me with their family and things like that. It’s been a big support being able to talk to other people my age who have been through the same types of things as me.
When I first came to YMCA, I found it hard to open up and talk to people. But now, I’m opening up a lot more and have made friends here. I feel like I’ve come out of my shell, and am more confident now.
I also feel more prepared to face my future and I’m excited to start making plans. At the moment, I’m focussing on my wellbeing to help me manage my depression. I feel like I have a great support network at YMCA who are helping me find my ambition in life. I am still working on this, but I do know I want to start by finding a job in retail and getting some experience.
My life is so different now to how it was before when I was living on the beach. I have a room of my own, and a secure and stable place to live. I have my keyworker Mark who never lets me down, and I can talk to him about anything. And, I’m not on my own any more, I’m surrounded by other young people.
I’d like to finish by saying thank you for supporting YMCA. I’ve been let down so many times before, and have learnt that there are lots of people that say they will help, but it’s rare to find somewhere like YMCA where they actually do help.
Thank you for your generosity, your support is making a real difference to young people like me.
Kind regards,
Terry
Good luck….Terry and well done for telling your story and making such a big improvement to your life. I’m confident you will give back a thousand times more than my little donation. Keep going and believe in yourself.
Terry, what you have been through is so difficult. I’m so glad you found the YMCA and I’m overjoyed you are beginning to get the help and support you need. You can thank me by making a success of your life from here on in ok. Take care .of yourself.
Hi Terry! So glad you’ve found hope in your life. Praying you will go from strength to strength. 😊
You’re making amazing progress I’m glad you found the YMCA. All the best for the future.
Dear Terry, thank you for your generosity in sharing your sad story. You did amazingly well ,managing to do a year of college whilst homeless. I’m sorry your family let you down, it’s their loss since you’re showing what you can achieve with a little support.
I wish you a very happy future, sure you can do it. I support YMCA due to my own experiences of homelessness and I hope it helps you to know that my life is very happy now. Say hi to Mark and thank you to you both.
Your message made my day, Terry. You should take great confidence from how much you’ve achieved in recent months and I am sure that this is only the start of great things ahead. Take good care of yourself and be reassured that there are lots of people out there who do care and want to see you happy.
Thanks Terry for sharing your story. I am so glad you are succeeding so well and sorry that you have suffered so much in the past by being let down. All the best for the future and well done for getting as far as you have. Thanks to to Mark for helping you.
Good luck Terry – with everything
Dear Terry, you have achieved so much in a very short time after the years of desperation and you should be very proud of yourself. Perhaps with a little more confidence you might feel like going back to college, not sure how you even completed 1 year with all you were enduring!
With every good wish for the future and make the most of the support you have around you.
Norma.
Dear Terry. I’m so sorry to hear of your difficult start in life. I’m so pleased that you have found the YMCA and are now part of that community. It’s so good to hear that you are feeling well supported and that you are coming out of your shell. We wish you the very best for the future. Take care and good luck. Jenny. X
I’m so glad that you found the YMCA and they can help you with your depression . Keep taking the meds Terry so that you Can manage your day to day life and complete your course . We are rooting for you ! Lots of love Debbie xx
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