BARKING & DAGENHAM / DARTFORD
GREENWICH / HAVERING / ASHFORD
Promising athlete turning his life around
Things were difficult at home for Shandell, who, after constant arguments with his dad, decided that the best course of action was to move out of the family home.
This was a tough time for Shandell, who as a promising athlete, was struggling to stay focused and even left his athletics club of five years for a period.
A fresh start and time to advocate for change
Before coming to the YMCA, Prashanta, aged 24, lived at home with his parents and sister. He had known since childhood that he was gay but feared that his family and community would not be able to come to terms with his sexuality.
Prashanta’s family are from South Asia, where same sex relationships are still widely considered as deeply taboo, irreligious and a betrayal of the family.
Young resident realises his own potential
Wesley lived with his dad and his dad’s partner until their landlord increased the rent and they were forced to move to a smaller one bedroom property. This meant that there was no room for Wesley. Homeless and with nowhere to go, Wesley had no choice but to sleep in a friend’s car whilst he looked for somewhere to stay. His mum had heard of YMCA and advised him to apply for accommodation, and after a month sleeping in a car, Wesley was offered accommodation at YMCA Romford.
#Payingitforward as a YMCA Youth Ambassador
Adele is 18 years old. She enjoys working with children and regularly volunteers at a local charity shop. As well as studying for A levels, Adele works for YMCA Romford part time as a birthday party host.
Youth work turning young lives around
Jay is 18 and lives in an Inner London estate renowned for anti-social behaviour. As well as facing all of the pressures of a teenager, Jay is a young carer and has been caring for his mum for as long as he can remember. His mum has Lupus, a serious condition where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. Jay’s father struggles with addiction and hasn’t been a constant in his life.
Cancer recovery programme is life changing
Derek aged 58, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015.
After time off work following surgery, Derek had put on weight and his Doctor recommended YMCATG’s Moving Forward Cancer Recovery Programme to help him get back on track again.
Stroke rehab programme transforming lives in the local community
Every week we provide specialist rehabilitation classes for people who are recovering from strokes, cancer and other life-limiting conditions.
Leslie is a familiar face at our Romford site and uses the gym, seated rehab classes and plays Boccia. Les aged 63, had a stroke three years ago which left him with very little movement in his right side and very little speech. Prior to the stroke Les worked full time in a manual job and was very fit and active.
Mental health is nothing to be ashamed of and neither is talking about it!
Our cancer referral programme is transforming lives
Claire is 44 years old and has two children, aged 13 and 10. She is a full time mum. In February 2016, Claire was diagnosed with breast cancer. The following April she had a single mastectomy and following that, radiotherapy.
Prior to this diagnosis, Claire was struggling with chronic fatigue syndrome and had to take anti-depressants to help overcome the effects of low energy and self-esteem. This put a lot of extra pressure on her fiancé who worked very long hours and whose health also began to suffer.
Gym member Claire goes from strength to strength through exercise
On a holiday to South Africa in 2007, Claire visited a women’s shelter that helped women and children that had suffered abuse. Sadly the facility was in a poor state with rubbish stacked up everywhere.
