Carol’s journey back to fitness
Carol, 57, was initially diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer back in 2021. Following a full mastectomy and reconstruction surgery to her right side, she was then diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. This then resulted in six rounds of chemotherapy and a series of Herceptin injections for a further 10 months. Prior to diagnosis,…
Walking 200 miles to support homeless people
Jacqui Hopkinson was badly injured in a motorbike crash on New Year’s Eve 2021, breaking both her arms and leaving her unfit and feeling old. Whilst recovering, Jacqui decided she needed a new challenge to help her get back to full fitness and has decided to fundraise for The Bridge Trust Project, supporting young…
What housing benefit cuts could mean for Romario’s future
Romario is a young person currently being supported by YMCA Thames Gateway. He relies on Housing Benefit to pay for much of his rent and says that Housing Benefit gave him the springboard he needed to find work. Growing up, Romario had a difficult relationship with his dad. From the age of 15, he found…
Noel discovers a passion for fitness at the YMCA
Aged just 9, Noel lost his mum. Some years later his relationship with his father broke down and Noel became homeless. By chance, Noel popped into his local Connexions centre for some advice. He was then referred to the YMCA in Romford. Jobless, Noel started volunteering in the gym and soon realised a passion for…
Michael triumphs through his setbacks
In 2008, aged just 17, Michael was struck down with an unknown virus that left him paralysed from the chest down and with a severe visual impairment. Michael had to adjust to life in a wheelchair and in order to build up his upper body strength and general fitness joined YMCA Thames Gateway’s gym. Michael became a familiar face in…
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. Up until this point Claire had been feeling quite low after the loss of her mother but witnessing for herself…
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…
Mental health is nothing to be ashamed of and neither is talking about it
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 hub and goes to the gym, seated rehab classes, and plays Boccia. Les aged 63, had a stroke three years ago which left him with very little movement…