Life before YMCA
Before coming to YMCA Norfolk, Daniel experienced a breakdown in his relationship with his partner, which resulted in him becoming homeless. Returning to his parental home wasn’t an option due to overcrowding, so he spent several months sofa surfing. Eventually, a friend who was already living at YMCA Norfolk helped Daniel get in touch, and he was offered a room at Woolstencroft.
What support he received
Daniel has been consistently involved in Life Ready activities since the project began, making the most of every opportunity available. He has taken part in a wide range of sessions, including cooking, baking, crafts, and community events like board games, quiz nights, and bonfire night. He’s also participated in Personal Development sessions such as a discussion on positive relationships and the “Food Bank Challenge.”
Through connections made with the Life Ready team, Daniel engaged with external organisations that ran workshops at the hostel. He signed up for the Norfolk County Council “Boost” project and completed a cycle repair and maintenance workshop with Black Cat Cycles—leaving with a repaired bike and a lock. He also took part in a Slow Cooker workshop through the Matthew Project, which provided him with a slow cooker to use when he moves on YMCA Norfolk.
Daniel has shown strong commitment to personal development and is always an encouraging presence in group sessions. He’s been open about his mental health challenges and has taken steps to address them through 1:1 support with Life Ready. This included two visits to MAP in King’s Lynn, where he joined the waiting list for counselling, spoke with a Leeway advisor about domestic violence, and received advice on PIP and future custody arrangements for his son.
He also attended a visit to the King’s Lynn Construction Hub, which led him to enrol in an evening course in basic carpentry and joinery. After completing that course and making a stool, he signed up for a follow-up bricklaying course and plans to take plastering and dry-walling next. The team have also helped him apply for protective work boots through Norfolk Adult Learning.
Daniel’s enthusiasm in the cooking and baking sessions has paid off as well—he’s now receiving certificates for modules of the Foodwise ASDAN, with plans to work toward completing the full qualification.
The impact YMCA has had
Daniel has gained a renewed sense of stability and confidence since being at YMCA Norfolk. With the support of staff and the structure of the Life Ready project, he’s begun seriously thinking about his future, including returning to work. He hopes to move from the hostel into a Move On property or possibly begin bidding for a council home. Having a more stable living situation will allow him to save money and access more job opportunities.
He has past experience in retail and would be open to returning to it, but his interest in practical trades has grown, thanks to the Construction Hub courses. He’s also hoping to complete CSCS card training through Boost to help open up job opportunities in construction.
When asked about his experience, Daniel said, “I really do recommend Life Ready to people who are not experienced in life with cooking, life skills as it helps with those a lot. I really enjoyed the session with Black Cat Cycles, especially getting to keep the bike.”
Name has been changed to protect the resident’s identity.
Case Study by Georgie Tennant