I spent 6 months living in the ymca, ask me anything

[Newname101]

When I was 18 I was homeless and spent 6-9 months living in the ymca until I could afford to private rent a room in a house. I completed my a levels and worked a couple of jobs
Ask me anything

What sort of people did you meet while living there? What were the main reasons they were staying there?

Why were you homeless?

You mention A levels, were you still at school?

Were there staff there all the time?

Did you tell your friends you were living there?

I met all sorts, age group 16 to around 25. Some were using it as a stepping stone to being self sufficient and some were a waste of space who got chucked out.

My parents asked me to leave home. I needed somewhere to sleep. Apparently I was a difficult teenager.

I had 2 terms of a levels to complete so I did what I could around work etc. My grades weren't the best but I got into my back up uni and rejoined life with everyone else. My friends at the time knew, now I don't share the information.

There was always staff on site, you get used to it. My room was locked and I only had a couple of thefts of stuff.

Was it really scary when you first went there? Do you need to pay to live there? What did u do at uni?

It was scary to live there at first, and yes there is a cost to live there. I got some benefits but because I worked at weekends I had to pay something myself.

I did business at uni and now have a successful job in a multi national.

Did u feel resentful towards you parents for putting you out and do you have a relationship with them now? If so, do they feel guilty or are they apologetic for making you live in such a place

Good question. I have a good relationship with them now, we've never really discussed those few years and it's a while ago now. I am completely independent and not good at trusting people. I do have an excellent dh that appreciated my independence and doesn't try to change me. I worried about being a mum and I think I'm over protective on my dc, I spoil them a lot.

When your children are the age you were then do you think your 'good relationship' with your parents will change?

Did you have any contact with your parents during your time at the YMCA?

I had some contact with my parents but not much, I didn't have any help for example.
I don't know about the future but I guess our relationship will stay the same as I'm not one for looking backwards, and I'm in a good place now.