We’re thrilled to announce that YMCA Edinburgh has been awarded £5000 – the maximum amount that could be awarded – to fund the development of their women’s group. The group supports women, from all ages and background, who are socially isolated.

When Andy McGovern lived in Australia, he shared a flat with the man who was running Transtion Bondi, a sustainable living community. Through that relationship, he was exposed to new ideas around gardening and sustainability and also got the opportunity to visit many gardening projects.

YMCA Scotland has formed a partnership with Esher House, a behavioural science training consultancy as part of the Youthworks programme. Last month, 12 YMCA staff members took part in the training.

I wanted to be strong for my family and I supported my mum as much as possible. I didn’t want to lose the family I had left, so I put a brave face on and acted as if I was okay – I really wasn’t.

Journey to Freedom is an 8-week programme, during which inmates are encouraged to consider the role that self-esteem, fear, relationships, faith and past experiences play in their lives.

I became homeless after splitting up with my girlfriend because my mental health was deteriorating. Having been in care, I had no idea what to do next. Thankfully, my social worker helped me get a place in YMCA Glenrothes’ supported accommodation.

I was born in Hyderabad in South India. I completed an M.Sc in Nutrition and Dietetics in India where I worked as a Lecturer. After I got married, my husband and I traveled a lot. We finally settled in Edinburgh 9 years ago.

In May 2018, YMCA Glenrothes gained funding from the Bank of Scotland Foundation to provide their residents with a Follow-On support service.

The YMCA also connected me with the right people to help me stop using drugs. With the help of my addiction worker, I’ve been able to finally kick the drugs.

For as long as I can remember mental health has always impacted my life in a major way. With the help and support from my amazing YMCA family, my home church and an incredible organisation called Mercy UK, I was able to turn my life around.

From an early age, I’ve struggled to fit into a group, others saw me as a bit ‘weird’. My mental health was at its lowest a few years back when my anxiety was at its peak and my confidence at its lowest. I was afraid of being judged, of not being good enough. I kept comparing myself to others.

Growing up with dyslexia and dyspraxia painted a big red target on my back. There wasn’t a lot of knowledge about such disabilities back then. I was picked on at school since primary one but it wasn’t until primary four that the bullying really started.