Serving the community for more than 135 years

“Helping to build positive futures
and overcome barriers for people of all ages”

Birkenhead YMCA

Hi I'm Paul Walker and I am just about to move on from the Birkenhead YMCA to a new job and location – and I'm really pleased to say its back doing what I really enjoy – cooking!

I am in my 40's and I have been a chef all my working life and have been able to move around the industry working in a variety of establishments cooking a wide range of different types of food and meeting different levels of customer expectation.

I found myself at the Birkenhead YMCA towards the end of April 2011 after a run of bad luck and to be honest I had no idea what to expect it would be like living there as I have never had to stay in this type of accommodation before. It's been an interesting few months but I have to say that it has all been worthwhile and I have learned quite a lot, not only about life but also one or two new skills.

Despite being well trained as a chef (I feel you are never too old to learn) I took part in the YMCA catering course and even managed to end up on a cookery challenge afloat which was great fun and showed me some new skills and working with other people not only in the narrowest kitchen in the world! But also driving a narrow-boat.

Photo: Paul Walker sailing a river cruiser

All through my time at the YMCA I have persevered to work towards getting back on my feet and in recognition of my efforts I was asked to take part in a training programme on the Norfolk Broads which was a great help to me in helping me find the time and space to think about my future. The Broads is a remarkable place and I really enjoyed it – I will long remember the environment training day on the nature reserve – it was a fantastic place to visit.

Once back I felt suitably confident to tackle job-hunting in a more positive light and quickly gained an interview and was delighted to be given a job in the Lake District which I am really looking forward to. Thanks to help from the YMCA I was able to gain assistance with transport to the interview which took a lot of pressure off me and made me feel more at ease in the interview.

If I were to offer any words of advice to anyone who is struggling to cope or sort out personal issues it would be to always stay confident and don't give up hope – everyone has skills it's just about how you use them. Despite being un-employed and I suppose to an extent homeless for a short while I didn't give up and my reward has been finally getting a job once more and a new start in life.

I would like to thank my key-worker Dawn who has been supportive and encouraging, Nigel for his patience in teaching me new skills and a number of other members of staff who have helped me along.

Will I miss the YMCA? Well I'm looking forward to having a place of my own, a job and space I can call mine but I will look back on my time at the Birkenhead YMCA and remember some good times and some bad and a very interesting learning experience!