Growing up has been hard for me. My dad past away when I was nine years old and since then my life has twisted and turned every way possible. I lived with my mum, stepdad, four brothers, two step brothers and younger sister but still felt alone. I couldn't talk to them and I had no one.
When I turned 16, I started hanging around with a bad group of people who influenced me into the wrong types of things. I started drinking heavily and smoking. I felt nothing could hurt me and I had my, so called "mates" so I didn't need my family.
I found myself a full-time job, but due to the people around me I didn't keep it and decided that I didn't need a job. I went back to the streets and the violence and the drinking, and thought that everything was going to be okay, but it wasn't at all. My mum couldn't cope with my attitude and my aggression and told me to leave as a result. I did so thinking that I could do it alone.
Many months went by when I was sleeping on friends sofas and floors. But I couldn't do that anymore, I finally realised my life was worth more than this.
I came to the YMCA looking for shelter and support and that's what I found, plus more. When I came to the YMCA I was vulnerable, immature, and unreliable and had no respect for myself or my family.
Moving into the YMCA has helped me a great deal. I now have a reason for my life, a job, qualifications and my family. I have completed my Key Skills in English, my NVQ2 in childcare and work for the Programme Department at Southampton YMCA.
I really enjoy my life now and just hope I can help other young people that come through the doors of the YMCA, through sharing my experiences with them, as my support worker helped me get to where I am now.
I'm so grateful to all the staff at the YMCA Southampton.