“My foster parents were actually my Aunt and Uncle as I was put under their guardianship in 2015. It all went well until my Uncle used me, such as taking me to the park and other places, just to get with another woman. I thought it was because he loved me. Soon after, he left without saying goodbye. I then moved to live with my dad, but he always said negative stuff about me such as I’m useless and he called me horrible names. I ended up coming to live at the YMCA after an argument with him over something little.”
Michael has now been with us at YMCA Derbyshire for 10 months, and his confidence is growing hugely. His social skills are increasing and he has just finished his Level 2 Hospitality & Catering course at YMCA Key College.
“I’ve applied to several apprenticeships to continue in hospitality. The staff at YMCA Key College are very friendly and easily approachable. I can trust them with my personal problems as I know they will do as much as possible to help out. I am looking to move out of the YMCA soon and get a shared or private flat, I’m motivated to get on with my life.”
“The staff at YMCA Key College are very friendly and easily approachable. I can trust them with my personal problems as I know they will do as much as possible to help out.”
Milo found school very difficult and struggled with his teachers. He felt he wasn’t very understood. Milo left school at 14 but found YMCA Key College a while after.
Now, he’s flourishing in ways he never thought imaginable.
Having spent two years living a reclusive life, Nathan didn’t communicate with anyone – he’d given up and had no motivation. Find out how YMCA Derbyshire provided him with friends for life and dramatically increased his confidence.
Due to polycystic kidney disorder, growing up was already difficult for Sophie. Then, when she was 13, she was diagnosed with a global learning disability, meaning life got even more complicated for her. Find out how we have helped Sophie with her education.
Mikey joined YMCA Derbyshire when he was 16 because of issues at home; he found he was doing nothing, smoking drugs, just passing the day. Find out how we have provided him with the motivation to find a job and turn his life around for the better.
There are many ways in which you can support YMCA Derbyshire in our mission to support young people in local the area.
By donating, you will enable us to continue providing the specialised support we believe every young person deserves. You can sign up for a regular monthly donation or make a one-off payment. To donate and for further information about what your donation can provide, click the button below.
There are various ways you can get involved. You may wish to take part in an exercise challenge, have your very own Sleep Easy at any time of year or Small Talks Big Difference Tea Talk event. We’ve included more information below and we’d love to hear your ideas too.
Partnerships can make a lifetime of difference; by choosing us as your ‘Charity of the Year’, you can help us in our mission to change the lives of young people in Derbyshire. For the many ways to get involved, and the benefits of a partnership with us, click the button below.
By volunteering with us, you could change a life! By volunteering with YMCA Derbyshire, you will have a part in helping us achieve our goals and positively impact lives of our learners, residents and local community. For further information about volunteering, click below.
