YMCA RoomSponsor Blog

Dear RoomSponsor, When I was growing up, I lived with my mum and my dad. Living with my mum was lovely. I don’t blame her for anything that’s happened. My…

Rachel had a difficult home life. Due to anxiety and depression she found it hard to stay in school. When her relationship with her mum broke down, she became homeless…

Polly suffered neglect throughout her childhood. She barely went to school, as no one was there to take her. From a young age, Polly had to learn how to do…

Imran was just 16 when he made the difficult and dangerous journey from Iraq to the UK. He had no friends here, no family, and no place to call home.…

When Oliver was forced to leave his rented room, he ended up sleeping in a tent on the edge of a local forest. He felt frightened and alone, and wondered…

Chris was just a baby when he was put up for adoption. Life in the care system was not easy. With no permanent place to call home, he lived with…

For much of his early life, Jason had no stable place to call home. He moved in and out of hostels with his mum and sister. Struggling with her own…

Shortly after moving to the UK from Morocco, Samira got married. It should have been the start of a new life, but instead she was trapped with a physically and…

Rory grew up in an abusive home. When his mother finally escaped with the children, they all moved into a refuge. But aged 17, Rory was too old to stay…

Hi Roomsponsors, Thanks to your support, young people can access a safe and supportive environment where they can thrive. A place where they can reach their full potential. We’d like…

Dear Roomsponsor, My name is Leo and I’ve been staying at YMCA for about 18 months. I wanted to share my story and thank you for being a Roomsponsor, your…

Dear Roomsponsor, My name is James and I’m 23 years old. Staying at YMCA has been a transformative experience for me and I wanted to share my story so you…

Dear Roomsponsor, I am Ally and I recently turned 18. I’ve not been staying at YMCA long but I wanted to tell you my story so you can see what…

Hi Roomsponsors, We’d like to update you on some of the young people you may have heard from previously, and share how well they’re doing now. As a Roomsponsor you…

Dear Roomsponsor, My name is Charlie and I’m 19 years old. I wanted to share my story of how I came to be at YMCA and how much my life…

Hi Roomsponsors, We’d like to share Saffron’s story with you, and update you on how well Ryan and Rochana are doing: Saffron Saffron was forced to leave home to escape…

Dear Roomsponsor, I hope you’re doing ok during this strange time. My name’s Rochana. I’m 22 years old and I’ve been living at YMCA for about two years. I’ve been…

Hi Roomsponsors, My name is Cheryl and I’m a keyworker at YMCA. I want to tell you about an amazing young man I work with called John who is 20…

I hope you are all doing well! Things are much better for me now and my parents are really happy that I am more independent, and my brother, my sister…