Dear RoomSponsor, My name is Aisha and I’m currently living at a YMCA. After a few difficult years, arriving here was my turning point. I want to thank you for all you do for young people as a RoomSponsor. When I was growing up, I was an only child born into a Muslim family. I…
Dear RoomSponsor, My name is Linh and I’m originally from Vietnam. I now live at a YMCA in Greater London. Staying here has changed my life, so I want to share my story to show you how much your support as a RoomSponsor can impact young people like me. I left Vietnam because I wanted…
Dear RoomSponsor, My name is Ethan. Staying at a YMCA in the South East has been a transformative experience for me, and I wanted to share my story so you know how you are changing the lives of young people as a RoomSponsor. The turning point in my life was when my parents split up…
Dear RoomSponsor, My name is Stephen and I’m 18 years old. I wanted to write and let you know how much your support means to young people like me who have been helped by a YMCA in the North East. My little brother and I moved in with my granddad when I was two. We’d…
Dear RoomSponsor, My name is Luke, and I came to a YMCA in the East Midlands at just 16 years old. I want to share my story, so you know how your support as a RoomSponsor gives young people like me the chance to find a safe place to call home, and the opportunities to…
Dear RoomSponsor, My name is Martin. Staying at a YMCA in Greater London has been a transformative experience for me, and I wanted to share my story so you know how you are changing the lives of young people as a RoomSponsor. Looking back, I can see my trouble started when I was still at…
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 dad, on the other hand, was a different story. It wasn’t so nice living with him. He was abusive towards me, my mum and 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 as a teenager and had no choice but to sofa-surf, which exposed her to violence and exploitation. Struggling with substance misuse and feeling hopeless about…
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 everything herself. She was often lonely and hungry. By the time she was 15, Polly left the family home and was homeless. She was placed…
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. Imran could not speak English, and missed his old life, his school, and the people he loved. He was struggling to build a new life…
