YMCA Humber recently received grant funding from Active Humber as part of the Young People Forward Project (YPF). Below is the story of Jennifer who have been supported by YMCA Humber through the programme.
YMCA Humber supports Jennifer, a young adult who has some issues with alcohol and substance abuse.
Jennifer often finds herself in negative situations but does have compulsions to tell stories, so we are unsure how much is real or made up. We believe the story telling is a coping mechanism for trauma that has happened in her life.
YMCA Humber recently received grant funding from Active Humber. This has allowed us to buy sports equipment to enable our residents to actively participate in a range of sports and activities including 8 bikes.
Jennifer’s first choice of activity has been cycling and she has shown real ability on the bike. Jennifer has developed good speed and hill skill and has been awarded a certificate for cycling 150 miles!
Jennifer has stated that routine is important to her, so she has worked with the YMCA Humber coaching team to implement a supportive and active routine. The routine seems to have a calming influence on Jennifer and there has been a substantial improvement in her mental and physical health.
Jennifer now actively engages with all activity sessions, which has led to some significant positive changes. Jennifer is now more reliable and supportive during activities and attends all sessions.
Jennifer has continued to develop her passion and commitment and supports others including staff during the cycling activities. Jennifer is now close to cycling 200 miles.
YMCA Humber have also been working with David a young adult with complex needs. David is very academic and has been presented with the opportunity to attend university in the summer.
David rarely left his room and struggled significantly socially due to his diagnosed conditions as well as the Coronavirus Pandemic.
With the grant funding recently received from Active Humber allowing us to buy sports equipment to enable our residents to actively participate in a range of sports and activities, we decided to use these as part of David’s coping strategies.
The Active Humber sessions have been the ideal programme for David as this has given him the opportunity to attend sessions of all sizes, with different activities at different locations.
David has shown flair on the battle ropes as part of circuit training. During the session we found out that David is extremely competitive, he refused to give up until mastering the ropes and everyone participating in the session cheered for David.
David has also been participating in outdoor activities and has faced difficulties; however he still pushes through. David is developing good social skills and self-confidence and YMCA Humber are proud of what he has achieved so far.
Grant funding from Active Humber has given both people something to focus on and work towards. The routine is helpful, as this teaches our young residents to have good attendance and time keeping. Routines help with individuals with varies needs. The funding has given our residents the opportunity to improve physical health and fitness along with improving mental health and wellbeing.
*** Names have been changed for case study purposes. ***
Young People Forward project
The Young People Forward Project aims to use sport to improve the physical and mental health, self-efficacy and resilience of young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness across the North of England and Scotland.
6 Active Partnerships and Street Soccer Scotland are working directly with 570 young people and with 42 specialist community organisations to embed sport and physical activity sessions into their programmes. Additional support will also be given to help some of the young embark on a journey out of homelessness.
The London Marathon Charitable Trust awarded a £600,000 grant to Active Partnerships which was made possible from money donated by Virgin Money.
For more information on YPF click here