LEICESTER YMCA CASE STUDY
Nick
My downward spiral was in 2004 after my mum passed away. For a little while the family became quite close, but things started to deteriorate between me and my Dad, and at the same time I got made redundant. Dad asked me to leave, so I ended up sofa surfing, then I got mixed up with crime. I knew it wasn’t for me, so I went to stay with my mum’s family in Hartlepool for a couple of months to get my head together.
In June 2007 I was dropped off in town. I didn’t know what to do. I thought this is it, looks like I’m sleeping on the streets from now on. It was gone 5 o’clock on Friday when I bumped into one of my oldest friends. Michael was living at the Dawn Centre and by chance his room mate had decided to leave just as we walked over there.
I stayed at the Dawn Centre for 4 weeks, then I got moved into Mayfield House, then to Avondale. That was self catering, so I started using YASC regularly. I was up at 7 every morning for breakfast – the food and cook and eat sessions kept me going. I started volunteering to help in the kitchen and I got to know different people. It brought me back because I had isolated myself. At YASC I did the food hygiene course and the ECDL computer skills qualification. The relationship with the staff was really strong – they could see potential in me, even before I did.
In February 2008 YMCA staff told me about the 15 hour cook vacancy at their Aylestone Centre. I had the interview. I think they wanted to give somebody an opportunity and luckily it was me. There was a bit of a problem losing housing benefits, I was in arrears with my rent, but the YMCA helped me sort that out. That’s what I really appreciate because it opened a massive door for me when I thought I was down and out.
My role now is Sessional Project Support Worker at YASC. Working here, for me, is coming back where I started; after a year of taking from YASC it was my chance to give something back. Service users have an element of respect for me because I have seen both sides of the fence. They ask me Nick, what did you do? Big thing is, what I’ve learnt is not to give people false hope.
I just want to keep progressing on in this line of work – I’ve found a job I actually wake up and enjoy going to – it’s all down to being given an opportunity.
Note: Nick now works for Leicester City Council’s Hostels service, as a Duty Officer, working with vulnerable adults.
