Abi’s first few months with YMCA were turbulent to say the least. With anger problems and an alcohol addiction, there was a lot for our support workers to work through with her. Abi engaged with all sessions, putting in the time and effort to tackle her addiction and working with the Youth Offending Team to learn better ways to manage her anger.
Soon after, Abi secured 2 overnight stays each week with her son, giving her the motivation to push on. Abi finally began engaging with group and individual key work sessions with YMCA, and even began attending boxing sessions with the other residents, which was a major step for her. Abi is now also taking pride in her flat; she has gone from letting the rubbish bags pile up in the kitchen to making sure her flat is spotless all the time.
YMCA staff have seen monumental growth in Abi and are now working with Abi to secure a flat of her own where she hopes to start a new life with her son.
*At Abi’s request, we have used different name and an actor in the photograph.
Read more of our case studies:
Housing Case Study: A New Chapter of Independence
Supported housing plays a vital role in empowering individuals with learning difficulties to live more independently, offering a safe and nurturing environment that balances support with autonomy. One powerful example of this is a young woman with learning...
Case Study: Joe’s Story
Joe arrived at the YMCA on 26.11.24 after being asked to leave home and struggling with mental health and substance misuse. Diagnosed with ADHD at age three, Joe experienced behavioural issues leading to incomplete secondary education, compounded by early cannabis use...
Case Study: Navigating Homelessness, David’s Story of Complex Needs
David suffers from depression and anxiety with suicidal ideation. David has been misusing vallium from the age of 13, then went on to use other substances such as heroin, crack cocaine and non-prescribed pregabalin. David has been diagnosed with vascular thrombosis...
Case Study: Olivia’s Journey, From Lost to Found
Olivia's story is a stark reminder of how systemic failures can devastate a young life. Imagine a childhood fractured by instability, a constant cycle of abandonment. That was Olivia's reality. Entering the care system at a young age, she endured multiple foster home...
Case Study: Leah’s Story
Case Study: Leah's StoryAfter a rocky start in life with a difficult home background, Leah was keen to gain some independence as her foster parents were due to retire. It was at this point that Leah came to the YMCA, following in her big sisters’ footsteps as the...