Becoming homeless at the age of 18 is not how Jade Rowden thought life would turn out, but after it became too hard for her to live at home she found herself suddenly having to stand on her own two feet.
With the help of YMCA Exeter she was given a small flat and two-and-a-half years later she is now living in one of its ‘moving on’ houses, a shared house in Newcourt, and is involved in helping set up a community pop-up cafe for the second time in the city which she hopes will lead to her finding work once her mental health improves.
The 21-year-old said: “I never got on with my stepdad. We had too many arguments and it got too much for my mum.
“I stayed with my mum for about a month sleeping on her sofa so I saw someone from Young Devon who took me to the council and they suggested I contact the YMCA. I had no idea who they were really.
“They offered me my own place at the YMCA with my own kitchen, and a shared bathroom. I am quite independent and I was used to doing things like budgeting and cooking because I did it for my mum.
“I had to learn to grow up quickly as my mum has back problems and I helped her out a lot. I was like her carer with my stepdad.”
Jade has maintained a good relationship with her mum and is hoping to get off benefits in the future.
She said: “I don’t feel ready for employment yet because I suffer from anxiety and depression. It’s still hard but I’m getting a lot better.
“I am hoping to get my own place one day, but I still think it’s a long way off. I need to lose some weight and get my mind a bit clearer, and hopefully get a proper job.
“I’d quite like to work in the catering industry after taking part in the cafe project. I did a lot of waitressing and really enjoyed it. I like talking to people and it’s good the YMCA has given me that opportunity.
“The cafe was fun and I’m looking forward to doing it again. I’m grateful for the YMCA’s support, especially its support workers.”
Still at the start of her journey with the YMCA is 20 year old Jess Broom.
She moved into its main house seven months ago after struggling to live with her father who has a drink problem.
She said: “He is a functional alcoholic and has epilepsy. His last seizure was a couple of years ago but it’s still at the back of your mind.
“I have technically been his carer all my life. I had wanted to move out since the age of 15 because of the pressure I felt under. I felt responsible for him and did a lot around the house. It had always been like that so it was the norm to me.
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“Through Young Carers they helped me get a place at the YMCA. It was really exciting but scary at the same time.
“It’s been up and down, and it’s very different to home because you have to consider not just one person but 31 other people.
“I’ve had to grow up but since moving here I still see my dad once a month and we chat online often to check on each other. It’s been better since I moved out than when I lived there.”
Jess has a level three in health and social care and aspires to work with people with physical and mental disabilities.
She said: “I’m looking for a part-time job in either retail or health and social care based.
“If it wasn’t for the YMCA I would still be at home. Instead I have opportunities like the cafe which keeps my mind off things and motivates me to get into work again. If you sit in your room every day it gets a bit depressing.”
Last month YMCA Exeter was awarded £20,000 from People’s Postcode Trust, a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
It will enable the charity to develop a new enterprise programme called Connect which will give previously homeless young people access to the employment market through taking part in mini pop-up enterprises planned over the next year.
In August, it run its first a six-day community café in Paris Street, and it will be making a return in the same location next month from December 8 to 20. It will be open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday's between 2pm and 6pm.
The Communi-Cafe, the name chosen by young residents living at YMCA Exeter, was made possible thanks to more than £3,000 raised through a Crowdfunding campaign.
