What gave you the most hope as a young person?

[CeriMumsnet]

Growing up we all need support and encouragement to help us develop our confidence and find our way in life. Whether it came from a person, a place, or a life experience, we'd love to hear about the things that gave you hope and helped you believe in your future as a young person.

Did a teacher or mentor see your potential and set you on the path for your future career? Perhaps some kind words from a stranger gave you hope and comfort during a tough time, or maybe it was the support you received when you left home for the first time that made all the difference.

Everyone who posts on this thread by 1st May will be in with a chance to receive £200 to donate to a charity of their choice. T&Cs

We’re working with New Horizon Youth Centre, the only day centre in London supporting young people facing homelessness with emergency housing support and advice. For thousands of young people, there is no family support, no financial safety net, and no affordable housing options. Over 100,000 young people a year approach their council as homeless. We think our nation's children and young people deserve better. Find out more about the work New Horizon Youth Centre do and how to donate here.

What got me through my stressful teenage years were my lovely, sensible school friends - both female and male. I was very shy and had quite a difficult relationship with my parents. One friend in particular listened to all my tales of woe and gave me great advice. I am still friends with her over forty years later.

Your post resonated with me. I was also homeless in my teenage years, sofa surfed from 16. By the time I met my husband I had streamlined all my possessions to fit into one holdall bag for efficiency to move quickly when things went south wherever I was staying! I felt pretty pathetic when we moved in together as that was all I had to my name, whereas he had a normal amount of "stuff" but it was never an issue for him.

I'm a parent now and I am not a perfect social media Mum, but I try my very best to make sure I don't repeat any of my parents behaviour. It's like they've hardwired a guide into me of "how not to be a parent".

I'm so sorry to read about your husbands passing and I hope you are able to hold onto the strength and confidence he gave you. I hope your own children bring comfort to your life now.

I am mid-30's now and been with my husband since I was 20. Ironically we were in the same place at one point when I was 16 but never crossed paths.

Then we found ourselves in the same place again when I was 20 and that was when we crossed paths and got together.

I have considered how kinder my life would have been had we properly met when I was 16 though, he has given me a lot of security in our years together. A shield from my toxic family and a stoic guide through life.

For some reason "fate" left me to suffer without him in quite a few sinister predicaments that I found myself in age 16-19.

"I was determined my children would not suffer as I did and they would never experience being homeless." - This is pretty much my goal in life, I'm trying my best.

You sound like you've been a great parent and been loved by a great man. I'm wishing you all the best 💛

@ThunderLeaf thankyou for your kind thoughts and sorry you suffered. I had a chat with my youngest this weekend how my early life drove my ambition. I hope both of my sons find the driving force they need to succeed in life. I often worry I have made things too easy for them. University and monies behind them mean they have a better start then I had. I often reflect it was the awful things I have gone through made me the positive, confident person I am. Dancing in my kitchen yesterday with my darling boys laughing whilst cooking lunch for friends coming over I am still grateful to my parents for being so bad ☺️☺️

I had a childhood of ill health but somehow managed to keep up hope. I was determined, I depended on myself for hope and fought for a better life.

I think it was the teachers at my secondary school. I remember my English teacher writing, in insert name we have the makings of a good literature student. I'll never forget that. I remember a teacher asking me if I'd thought about doing A levels? I didn't know anyone who had done A levels or been to university. I remember thinking, me? Thank you Miss Coates. She was in her 50s 45 years ago.

Godfrey. He employed me as a part time helper in his factory when I was just a teenager.
My parents were living in poverty (largely due to my Dad being an alcoholic) and my wages helped to support the whole family.
Godfrey was an elderly Jewish gentleman, he would draw me aside and tell me that I was clever and had potential and that I should think about going to university. That I could do better for myself.
He helped me to apply for university, he had tears in his eyes when I proudly showed him my acceptance letter and when I left he gave me an envelope with £250 in it to help me on my way. £250 was such a lot of money back then.

I will always be grateful to him. Such an amazing gentleman. If I won this competition I would give the money to Papyrus (preventing young suicide) in honour of those young people who didn't get that support.

Well, it wasn't the art teacher who told me not to continue with my art O'Level. That I was so bad, she wouldn't be putting me through for it.

I had a Saturday job from age 13. The owner was a woman who worked really hard and had a lovely home and lots of sunshine holidays. I think that made me realise I wanted to have that kind of security.

My music teacher, Miss Baines, was wonderful. She opened up a whole new musical world to me. I loved her classes.

She knows - we’re still in touch years and years later - now very good friends.

Leaving home at sixteen - best thing ever, even if it meant A levels etc achieved a couple of years later than everyone else.

How wonderful.

Leaving behind a family who had not interest in bettering themselves, and going to Uni to complete a degree. I learned that despite everything I’d been told, I would survive and I could dream bigger than living in a little terraced house next door to my parents!

My parents were my greatest source of support and encouragement. They NEVER put me under and pressure but actively supported me with my aspirations and ambitions ferrying me about summer schools, after school study sessions, the library you name it they did it. Equally my brother wasn’t academic and wanted to go straight into work and the encouraged and supported him equally.

What made an immediate difference for me was leaving home and striking out by myself. I was always told not to think I was better than I was. I never thought that because god knows, I was told often enough what a bad person I was (I was not).

I got into university, no fees at that time, and my family agreed to pay my rent, and I had a grant for the rest, not a lot though, so I also did p/t work.

I will never forget the sheer relief at discovering that people, by and large, are pretty lovely, and it is my family who are not.

My granny opened up my world for me - encouragement, cash and seeing her run her own lovely business.
Stacks of university prospectuses at school also gave me ideas and inspo (first person of my family to go to uni).