“Being away from my family was weird, standing on my own two feet was daunting, having to sort out rent and benefits was difficult to start with but staff helped, they sat me down and explained it all to me. When I first came here I was trying to find myself and trying to fit in, which is when the problems started. I was rebelling against staff as I thought people would think I was cool. Then I got asked to leave. I’ve sofa surfed, been in B&Bs, and pretty much every housing association in Derby, but I’ve grown up with being around YMCA. I’m comfortable here and I can be myself here. I’m at the point where I can acknowledge when I’ve done something wrong and can change things so that I don’t do it again. I can come in and say that I am having a bad day but staff will respect that and talk to me. You give what you want to take out. The majority of my long-term friendships are with people that I have met at the YMCA”.
Mikey’s achieved so much in the past year especially. He joined the Toyota Working Assets programme where he got help with his Maths and English and completed 120 hours work experience within security. He prepared and delivered an excellent speech talking about the positive impact of the programme at The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) graduation event in London.
“I look at where I am now to where I was this time last year. I was doing nothing, smoking drugs, just passing the day. I now want to find a job, I know people here would be pleased for me if I got a job. When I do get one, I will still find time to come to the YMCA. It’s like me and the YMCA are an elastic band – I’ll go so far and then come back. It feels like home.
The YMCA has made me the person I am today.”
We are so proud of Mikey and can’t wait to see what’s next for him!
“… I now want to find a job, I know people here would be pleased for me if I got a job… – the YMCA has made me the person I am today.”
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.
Michael had a tough life due to difficult living arrangements with family members and foster carers. After an argument with his father, Michael found himself in the care of YMCA Derbyshire. Find out how we have helped him to have a better outlook on life.
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.
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.
