Laura's Story
My YWCA Scotland Experience
I have been a member of the YWCA Scotland Livingston Centre since I was 13. I heard about the YWCA from a friend and thought I should go along and see if I would enjoy it, so I went along and it was great. Since then I have met so many new friends and have had so many good experiences and opportunities.
I really enjoy girls only because you can express how you are feeling and talk about what’s happening at home and school with other girls who understand what you are going through.
I am now 16 and a member of the intermediate girls group; we meet at YWCA Livingston, where we discuss issues on many topics that we are dealing with. I love the girls club, it’s a night where you can chill out and relax. I really enjoy girls only because you can express how you are feeling and talk about what’s happening at home and school with other girls who understand what you are going through. I get a lot of support from the group and from the staff at the centre. Being able to talk to members of staff has helped me cope with difficult times in my life. I also volunteer with the Junior club, which I really enjoy as I feel I have something to offer to the younger girls.
Through the girls’ group we have made a DVD on Alcohol awareness called Walk of Shame. We have arts and craft nights, cooking nights and hair and beauty nights - we also have people coming in to talk to us about smoking, drugs, alcohol, sexual health and any other concerns that may affect us.
Over the past year I have been involved in so many activities, training and events. I became involved with Playscheme because the YWCA Livingston Senior Youth Worker encouraged me to go along and find out what it was all about. I loved working with children and learning how playscheme works - hard work but I really enjoyed it, so much so that I am volunteering again this year.
I feel a lot more confident around people and most importantly I feel a lot more confident about myself.
There is a lot that I have learned about myself from being part of the YWCA, I feel a lot more confident around people and most importantly I feel a lot more confident about myself. YWCA Scotland has inspired me to look and think differently about what I want to do with my life.
There’s only one bad point about the girls group, we only meet one night a week, and I wish it was on longer... I would advise anyone looking for things to do and who wants to meet new friends to join the Girls Club - it’s great!!
