Martyn’s Story

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“I was in a toxic relationship and when that ended my mental health took a big dip. I lost my house and lived in a tent in a forest outside of Exeter for seven months. Honestly, I’d be in jail or dead if I hadn’t found YMCA Exeter. It was 100% the best move.

“Since living here, my wellbeing has massively improved. Before, I was lonely and my mental health was low. But being at YMCA Exeter has given me confidence and brought me out of my shell again.”

YMCA Exeter Group Work Coordinator Tim Wells explains in his own words, “Martyn has completed over 50 hours of voluntary work during his employment training programme. He’s played a lead role in Foodboost (our healthy eating project), shifted over 20 tonnes of stones in our community allotment and has consistently led by example. Martyn has been an inspiration to all around him.”

Martyn isn’t one to shout about his accomplishments but with a massive smile on his face he told us: “YMCA Exeter has helped me realise the skills I had. I was able to spend time looking at my skills and matching them to a career with the help of my mentor, Bob.”

A year after arriving at YMCA Exeter, Martyn has moved into YMCA Exeter’s new Stage 4, independent living, at Sidwell Studios:

“If this time last year someone had told me that I’d have a place of my own and a new career I would have laughed at them,” says Martyn. “It’s just so nice to get back to normality and be part of society again.”