At 21 I suddenly found myself homeless. One day my mum told me to pack my bags and just leave. I had £96 in the account and didn’t know what to do.
I decided to walk into town and speak to the local council. Eventually, with help from a social worker, I found a small hotel to stay in for one night. Without their help, I would have been sleeping rough.
From that first night, I decided there was no time for emotion, I just had to keep a level head.
The next day, YMCA Paignton picked me up and spent the day trying to arrange accommodation for me. But there was nothing available. Finally, at 4.55pm, the council stepped in and put me up in a local Travel Lodge.
For three months I was moved around Travel Lodges and Premier Inns. I was really thankful to have a roof over my head but I never knew when I’d have to pack up my bags and move on.
I’m 7ft 2 and have always embraced my height. But some of the places I stayed were so tiny I could hardly fit into the toilet cubicle. In one place I couldn’t shower for three weeks as the shower was too small for me.
It’s also tough to live without cooking facilities or a washing machine for so long. I only had a kettle in the room and never want to see pot noodles ever again! At one point I got a stomach bug that lasted for 11 days. But I could hardly even fit in the bath to clean myself, so I made a real mess of the room.
My family used to be my support and without them, it was really isolating. Thankfully during that time, I was still playing rugby for the Totnes Rugby squad. I played number 8. They were like a family to me and really helped me through that first month.
Thankfully YMCA Paignton referred me to YMCA Exeter and a place came up for me to move into the hostel accommodation in March 2024.
I’ve been at YMCA Exeter for four months. It’s the first time I’ve had a place of my own. I can be independent and I can cook for myself, but there is also support here.
I’ve really enjoyed volunteering with the Lighthouse Training Progamme, it was a highlight of my week. I’ve served in the cafe and love connecting and getting to know residents, volunteers and staff members.
I’ve also had a chance to work outside in the gardens and in green woodworking. I trained as a blacksmith at college so I know how to work with metal, but it’s been fun to learn how to work with wood. Community Projects Manager, Sam Thomas taught me how to make a cup, from selecting the rowan wood to turning it on the lathe to oiling it with my own beeswax oil that I made.
I don’t need lots of support, but I feel like I’m understood here. Because of the stability, I’ve been able to get a job at John Lewis and I’ve also decided to apply to Exeter University to study Archaeology.
I’ve always loved history and combining that with my experience working as a blacksmith, archaeology seems to be a good fit.
I’ve been given an unconditional offer and although a bit nervous, I’m looking forward to starting my undergraduate degree in September.
Thank you for making it possible for YMCA Exeter to support young people like Magnus, giving them the time and support they need to get back on their feet and thrive.
You can donate to our work with homeless young people here: ymcaexeter.org.uk/fundraising/donate
