A turning point in Martin's life journey

 

“My story is one of a failed education and a life as a young man drifting between jobs with no direction.  I have known lengthy time unemployed and scraps with the authorities.  In all that, at 23 I became a Christian and changed my direction.  

 

I had people invest in me at church and believe in my potential. One night I ended up doing some voluntary work with Grantley Watkins at the YMCA at St Giles.  I helped for a while then got involved in other things.  In time, I got into work and trained in construction work. 

 

My turning point was in May 2001.  I had a moment of change and felt challenged in my Christian service - as part of that process I applied for a job at St Giles.  I started on June 1, 2001.  My first two days where very challenging as we had very difficult situations to deal with.  I learnt a lot fast and soon grew in the role.  Eddie Pleban and Julie Oakes guided and corrected me, and over time I was asked to do more work.   I enjoyed the role of support worker and got more and more into my work in the YMCA.  I undertook activities with residents out of work like hill walking and took one group with the Police one time to the Lake District (pictured below).

 

With the development of YMCA Norfolk Central I was asked to go and work there.  This was a time of learning and I joined YMCA Norfolk's Leadership team.   In October 2009, I was asked to go to Throckmorton Yard and help the team there move the work forward.  I found a truly dedicated and hard-working workforce and relished the chance to lead them.   We soon established the things that need to be moved forward and in February my appointment as Manager was confirmed after a gruelling interview.

 

I did not arrive at Throckmorton Yard unprepared.  The opportunity and experience the YMCA has given me over the years brought me to that point.  YMCA Norfolk had sent me on training and believed in me.   The mentoring of my mangers had installed in me skills and I am still learning. 

 

At the heart of it all is still the wonderful truth that we serve young people at a point of crisis when they need our help.  We don't judge why they need it - we serve and care for them.  Getting up for work is a joy.  YMCA Norfolk has taken me places I would not have imagined nine years ago.

 

At a personal level, I am married with two great step children and my wife works in homeless prevention. I attend Norwich Vineyard church and I am a keen outdoor person with a love of hill walking and backpacking.  I blog about that as well as it gives me a focus in my spare time to plan and prepare for the next trip away.