Real Lives - Hattie's Story

For many young people, having a safe place to live and a supportive network can make all the difference. For Hattie, that support came at a critical moment in her life.

After her family moved away, Hattie found herself facing homelessness.

My family moved away and I was told I couldn’t go with them. I was living in emergency accommodation when the support staff intervened and brought me here. Now, with their help and a bursary I am about to start University. I really can’t thank them enough.

Finding Stability Through YMCA Cornwall

When Hattie arrived at YMCA Cornwall, she had very little and needed our help and support to settle in.

Our team worked alongside her, offering her safe accommodation, practical guidance, training, help and encouragement to help her navigate an incredibly challenging period of her life. With a secure place to stay and one to one support from her support officer, Hattie was able to focus on rebuilding her confidence, returning to education and plan for her future.

Achieving Her Goal of Going to University

Today, Hattie is preparing to begin an exciting new chapter as she starts university.

Through determination and hard work she has achieved something that once may have felt out of reach. A bursary has helped make higher education possible, giving her the opportunity to pursue her future ambitions.

The Impact of Your Support

At YMCA Cornwall, we believe that no young person should face homelessness. Every day, we work with young people age 16 to 24 across Cornwall who are homeless or at risk, helping them access safe accommodation, develop independent living skills and move towards education, employment and training.

Hattie’s journey is just one example of how lives can be transformed when young people are given the chance to succeed.