Many of you will know that I used to work for YMCA Black Country Group who do amazing work to support young people
Clotilda was just 16 when she came in contact with YMCA. She had suffered both physical and emotional abuse and was extremely vulnerable at the time. She came on to the project and lived with three host families before being placed with Veronica and Rob, a married couple from Wolverhampton. They saw Clotilda as ‘one of the family’ from the very start of the placement.
She has been with the family for over two years now and despite the challenges that she has faced, with the support of her host family and the YMCA, Clotilda (now 19) will be going to study medicine at university in September. Getting a place to study medicine is a fantastic achievement for her and one she feels she would never have got near had it not been for the help of Rob, Veronica and the YMCA. As well as studying, she is a keen dancer and has also joined a local choir.
Well, Clotilda has been recognised for her strength and inspiration and is up for a national award- young achiever of the year! I have just voted for her and I’d like ask you to do so as well. It takes under two minutes and you can vote here: https://ymca.e-activist.com/page/46705/survey/1
Good luck Clotilda!