After leaving school in 2021, I started at YMCA North Tyneside as an HR Apprentice. I loved the idea of working for a charity and making a difference in my local community but at the time I didn’t even realise the amount of extraordinary work YMCA do in our local area but also across the country and world! Following this I was offered a permanent position, which I of course accepted. I have loved every moment of working here, getting to support so many different areas of work including the Cafe, Housing, Gym, Youth and Communities and most importantly having a direct impact on the people living in our local areas.

Thanks to YMCA North Tyneside nominating me, I am now part of the YMCA Youth Ambassador Programme, which will allow me to gain skills to help towards my personal development, but also will allow me to gather young people’s views within our community on what is important to them, and then feedback to the team and promote current and future campaigns.

On Monday 17th April 2023 I attended the YMCA England & Wales Youth Ambassador Programme Induction in London. Not only was this my first time on a train alone and my first time using the London underground but it was also my first time out of the city on my own!

So far I have most enjoyed discussing campaigning and meeting people across multiple YMCAs in England and Wales, and doing what YMCA does best, bringing people together from all walks of life. I already know this is going to be an amazing opportunity to change young people’s lives for the better!

I can’t wait to share more of my journey as a YMCA Youth Ambassador over the coming months so please make sure you sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date!

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