Chris Scourfield
Chris showing he's a team player.
Chris's Story
Chris Scourfield Scoring Goals In Life
I'm Chris Scourfield and I'm 24 years old and I'd like to tell you that the Birkenhead YMCA has helped me in a massive way.
When I first arrived 12 months ago I was confused and lost in life and I found it hard to face the future – all that changed very quickly and I really enjoyed living at the YM. My room is great and thanks to my key-worker I was soon able to move into semi-independent living and now I'm about to move on into my own flat which is a great feeling and achievement for me.
After a short time I volunteered to help night staff, look after rough sleepers' over-night who came to the YMCA for shelter. This made me feel really great as I was helping people who are really in need and I knew they were safe with us over-night.
I've ended up getting a qualification in Horticulture which taught me loads of new things that I can use to help search for jobs and thanks to my Sports Project Worker Pete Norman I have been able to take part and obtain my FA Football Coaching Level 1. I have also taken part in some interesting new things that I had convinced myself I would not like – such as sailing a boat on the Norfolk Broads – despite being scared of boats I overcame my worst fears and really enjoyed it and proved to myself that I could do it. I also learned to sail a 112 year old sailing ship a Norfolk Wherry which was much harder than I imagined it would be, but was really enjoyable.
As a keen football fan I helped set up and coach the Birkenhead YMCA football team – we aren't much good but the lads try hard and we genuinely do play for the fun of it. I also set up and ran a football tournament which gave me real satisfaction.
Now I'm moving out I will still keep in touch and continue as a volunteer, but looking back I realise I have a lot to be grateful to the YM for – it wasn't for this place I wouldn't have the certificates or experience I have now!
