YMCA Case Study My Name Is *
I moved into Cardiff YMCA (Housing Association) eleven months ago after losing my home as I was unable to keep up with my mortgage arrears as a result of becoming dependent on heroin. Along with substance misuse, I have many other issues including money management, emotional and mental health problems. I was prescribed methadone but despite this, I continued to use heroin on top of my prescription.
I was extremely chaotic and often claimed that I’d lost my money to avoid paying my service charge. This lead to debt and rent arrears, so I was eventually given an eviction notice. It was this that led me to realise how important my accommodation at the YMCA is – giving me stability and helping me re-gain contact with my parents and daughter. I then agreed to follow a payment plan at the hostel in order to reduce my payments to a more affordable amount, enabling me to address my money issues. I then decided to carry out voluntary work and with the YMCAs support I began volunteering at a local charity shop, allowing me to benefit from the YMCAs Work Incentive Scheme. I was valued so much by the shop that they offered me paid employment.
I began to re-build my relationship with my parents and daughter and agreed to be referred to the Cardiff Alcohol and Drug Team (CADT) for Counselling in order to further support my abstinence from heroin. Unfortunately, despite such good progress four months later I relapsed and began using high amounts of heroin again; resulting in being asked to leave my job which led to another fall out with my parents. I began to feel suicidal and refused to take my medication. A GP appointment was made to help me address this, and YMCA staff worked with me and my worker at the Community Addictions Unit,
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liaising together to monitor my mental state. Having considered the consequences of my behaviour, I realised that I wanted to make changes to my life and agreed to be referred to CADT again. I cut off contact with friends with whom I used heroin and was encouraged to use Design for Life – the YMCAs own drop in and resource centre.
I began to take part in organised activities on a regular basis with DFL in order to keep myself focussed and engaged, and staff also looked into college courses for me. As a result of my progress, and as part of my Support Plan, I have been referred to a supported accommodation project. My relationship with my family has improved greatly along with an improvement in my mental state. I have also managed to completely clear my debts as a direct result of engaging in the YMCA budgeting skills sessions. I was offered a two bedroom council tenancy in May to enable my daughter to spend time with me regularly.
*Our client who wishes to remain anonymous but wanted to tell you his story continues to engage well with YMCA Support Staff, attends regular counselling sessions, engages well with other support agencies and has attended an assessment to begin a plumbing course at college next month. He has also been referred to Cardiff Council’s tenancy support team and will receive continued support from them, support that he is now welcoming.
If you would like to support the YMCA in any way, please contact: Mandy Caddy, Cardiff YMCA Housing Association, The Walk, Cardiff CF24 3AG. Tel: 02920 465250
mandy.caddy@
cardiffymcaha.co.uk or make a direct donation from £1 up to £10 by texting: YMCA04 and either 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 to 70070.
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