Resident’s Stories

Bridgwater YMCA has helped countless numbers of young people get their life back on track; here is just a sample of some of our past resident’s stories

(The names have been changed to protect individuals but the stories are true)

Charlene, 22

Charlene was suffering from depression and the stresses and strains of life at home with her parents were worsening her illness considerably, she moved out into her own flat thinking that would make things easier but the opposite happened. She had a terrible relationship with her landlord, who had taken a disliking to her and eventually threw out all of her belongings, she had nowhere to go. Charlene ended up sleeping rough anywhere she could, anywhere she wouldn’t get moved on by the police.

Charlene suffered horrendous abuse whilst she was homeless and just before she reached breaking point she was put into contact with Bridgwater YMCA. Charlene says that the YMCA made her feel safe, helped her re-build her confidence and self esteem and offered her the chance to speak out so she no longer bottled up her emotions. Charlene says her whole attitude to life has changed; she has learnt to trust people again and has started mixing more with people too.

Her future is looking a lot brighter now as she is starting to build bridges with her family and has started a new relationship where she is very happy. Charlene says the biggest change in her is that people now go to her for advice; she has proven that you can make something of yourself, no matter where you start and she is now an inspiration to others. Charlene intends to take this further by becoming a youth worker, like the ones who helped her at Bridgwater YMCA.

Dave, 18

Dave was only 17 when his mum threw him out of the family home due to a complete relationship breakdown between them. Tensions were high and Dave could see that one day the arguments could get really out of hand. He initially moved into a flat, but the block was shut down due to numerous incidences of arson attacks and dawn drug raids. At this point he found out about Bridgwater YMCA and on moving in his first thoughts were “it’s not like what people think”, Dave is happy living here and considers it one big happy family!

He has started a course in Computer Programming and says that the Bridgwater YMCA youth workers have helped him gain life skills such as budgeting and getting into a daily routine, something he had never had in his chaotic life before coming here.

Shannon, 21

Shannon moved to Bristol with her boyfriend, as her parents had no room for her at the family home any more. On moving in with him, her boyfriend changed, he became increasingly violent and possessive and Shannon felt trapped, like she had no one to turn to. Over the course of several months her confidence dropped dramatically, she was made to feel useless and worthless. Shannon also suffered a miscarriage as a result of her domestic abuse.

A chance meeting with a resident of Bridgwater YMCA at that time, made her think about her options and she got the courage to leave her boyfriend and move to Bridgwater YMCA. Shannon says that the staff have helped her to move on and show her she can make something of her life, in her own words she says “Karen [her youth worker] helped me to see that there is more to life than being a punch bag”.

Shannon is thankful for the YMCA for helping her escape a life which she is sure would have ended in more tragedy.

Tamsin, 19

Tamsin was drug and alcohol addicted and her parents couldn’t cope with her behavior any longer so they threw her out. Tamsin was also a self harmer and had depression as a result of her addictions. As Tamsin was homeless she approached Connexions who put her in touch with Bridgwater YMCA.

Tamsin says that her time at the YMCA was a roller coaster and that she found it hard, that was because she was facing up to her problems and not numbing her feelings with substances anymore. At the YMCA Tamsin received help for her addictions and also support for overcoming her mental health issues.

All of the hard work Tamsin put in has paid off as she is now living in our ‘Move on Accommodation’, Clifford Searle House, because she needs less support as she has learnt the skills for living independently successfully, healthily and happily whilst living at George Williams House.