My name is ...

My name is Jamie Owen... I was asked whether I would be interviewed for this report because I have lived in three of the YMCA’s projects and used three of its schemes during the year I’ve been here. I agreed because I’ve had a lot of help from the staff and am happy to say that in this report.

I fell out with my mother and stepfather when I was 17 and was kicked out of the family home. I’d sort of known this would happen so I’d already found out that I could get some advice and help from an agency in the Vale where I lived. I stayed with friends and then moved in with my girlfriend. When we split up I went back to the agency who suggested I come to the YMCA. They got me a room in the emergency bed that was at The Ambassador hostel for the first night. I was scared – I didn’t know anyone who had ever stayed in a hostel and thought that they were full of druggies and violence. I found that first night daunting and didn’t really sleep - in spite of nothing actually happening my imagination went wild thinking that at any moment the door would be kicked in. The next morning I was seen by a member of staff who said I could have a room if I wanted. I lived at The Ambassador for a couple of months and then transferred to the bigger hostel at The Walk. Both hostels are better than I expected and it has been an eye opener for me. I used to work before I was homeless but didn’t think you could if you lived in a hostel. I don’t know why, perhaps it was just another thing I thought about homeless people – that they didn’t work. At the YMCA there’s something called the Work Incentive Scheme that helps you if you want to get a job and gives you extra things such as payment towards your rent when you do work. I went to the Design for Life and used the job search on the computer to find a job as a bartender. I have been working since. I have now moved from the big hostel to a smaller project where I am going to learn the things I need to know to make sure I can live on my own when I get a flat. When I lived with my girlfriend she did everything like shopping and cooking and if I’m honest I was a bit lazy about those things so didn’t bother to learn. Here I have a plan and a workbook and I’m going to start with managing money and healthy shopping and cooking then go on to understanding tenancies. I wasn’t really ready for my own place when I left home, but I will be now. I’m really looking forward to having my own place near to my work.

I want to say that the staff are all willing to help, not just the support workers, but cleaners, housing staff, receptionists and night staff too. It isn’t always easy and I haven’t done everything right, but since I’ve been here my STAR has gone up to 9 in quite a few places so I can see how well I’ve done. Being here has changed my views on homeless people too. When I see one now I’ll give them my change – I know what it’s like.