Alexandra Waters, YMCA Norfolk client, moved into YMCA accommodation earlier this year after fleeing a verbally abusive relationship with an ex.
After engaging in a huge range of positive activities within YMCA over the last 7 months, she wants to share her story and inspire others to take advantage of all the amazing opportunities offered to clients at YMCA Norfolk:
“I moved into the YMCA on 5th March of this year, after fleeing a verbally abusive relationship. I was living in a shared house with him, I wasn’t eating properly and was feeling ill pretty much all the time.
It was a horrible environment to be in, especially seeing as we were having at least 2-4 arguments a day and during these arguments I would get verbally abused as well. I couldn’t handle the situation I was in and wanted to flee which led to a mutual friend bringing me into the YMCA so that they could house me.
I have been involved with YMCA Norfolk for over 7 months now. They have helped me so much by giving me a safe place to live, food, clean towels to use and keep. They have also given me so much support and help with my understanding of my PTSD and how I can manage it in a much better way than I ever thought possible.
So far, I am more confident within myself through engaging in positive activities and socialising in and out of the YMCA. I have passed a Joy of Food course, as well as taking part in Ascend Adventure open days and taster days for their Life Craft course that they are running.
My hopes for the future are to be able to maintain my current accommodation, with the aim to then move to a private rented property or council property to further my independence. One of my other hopes is to continue being a part of the Ascend Adventure community and to bring more positivity to my life.
It has started to make a massive difference to my life; I’ve been able to get my life back on the right track again, with the help and support of the staff here. I’ve been able to make decisions for myself when it comes down to doctor’s appointments and whether I should go or not.
I regularly go to the doctors at least once or twice a month now, whereas before I wasn’t massively concerned about my physical and mental health. YMCA has opened my eyes to a new better way of life and how I can look after myself in so many different positive ways.
My favourite experience so far is the days out that we do such as local museums, my favourite is Time and Tide museum. I am currently attending a Gardening Course, learning so much more than just how to garden. We are working much more efficiently ways by reusing, recycling and repurposing.
I have so much fun just by being a part of a community within YMCA with a wonderful group of people who I can call my friends. I know that whenever I need them…they are there for me.”