SHANDY

I first started access YHES House when I was 16. I was referred by Bannister House, which is a medium term emergency accommodation program, for some counselling. I got to know a lot of the workers personally and found them really helpful and down to earth.

I had some drug problems. I was a poly-substance abuser (meaning many) and tried to go through Mirikai (a drug rehab.) but initially didn’t have much success. I ended up and on the streets for some time (I had been on & off the streets since I was 10). I was doing a rehab; refuge and physc ward crawl.

It was great to be able to go to YHES and spend some time with the workers as well as use the washing machine and dryer. There is no other youth service up this end of the coast and there is no place in Southport that I could do free washing.

The workers really knew what they were talking about and they helped to give me a sense of self worth – they would go out of their way to make sure that you are OK.

I found YHES House a safe place to go and a really good place to hang out. YHES House helped me to get accommodation by linking me with Housing Options. Through that I was able to rent my first place. I have now been off the streets for three years and successfully renting since then.

I have also been able to do my grade 10, the first year of my chef’s apprenticeships and some other study. It was so much easier to study having stable accommodation.

I am now 23 , and have been off heroine for six years. It is great to have my drug problem under control and my mental state is a lot clearer.

"People say they don’t believe the difference in me, I look and feel so much healthier."

MARK

I am 22 yrs old and I first came to know about YHES House when I was 19. I was really depressed and at times felt suicidal. After going to YHES I realised there was hope and life was worth living. Chris was the only person that was really there for me in my life at the time. He was really understanding, gave me positive feedback and showed me ways that I could get out of the situation I was in.

Chris supported me through this period and helped me to get into a youth accommodation program. YHES House became a sanctuary for me, it was like the family I never had, when I walked in I felt safe , the people at YHES House were so friendly and helpful and the atmosphere really welcoming. I felt like I had nothing and YHES gave me the hope that was needed.

If it wasn’t for the help and support I got from YHES I would have suicided. They have helped me to know that I am worth while and to get things clear. They have also helped me to understand my issues and develop a positive plan for my life. Words can’t describe how much YHES House has helped.

Having a service like YHES House is critical as young people need support. They have provided me with emotional support, counselling, goal planning, help to get in touch with other services and much more, which is too much to list. The number of young people, like me, that they help is evidence of how important the service is.

"YHES House became a sanctuary for me, it was like the family I never had, when I walked in I felt safe."