A volunteer’s story

“I act as a sensible aunt, helping young people with little things like signing up to a doctor or buying their cleaning products. They are all terribly friendly and kind. Most young people that I meet have come out of care or custody and The Y is their leaping off point, when they have a chance to take control of their own lives. What I enjoy about The Y is that young people are treated with respect and warmth by the staff. They are helped with all the basic details of daily living that most of us get from our families and I see how they slowly build confidence.”

Pat is a retired Manager who has been volunteering with young people at The Y for three years.