My friend was here for 4 years and she received NO support from her keyworker or management what so ever, despite the aims and objectives of the organisation.
Nice people, I really love here
The YMCA was a great stepping stone from being homeless to being housed for me. I loved having my own pad with a kitchen. It's right next to ASDA which is handy for groceries. I know people who have got into trouble with drugs here, but at the end of the day it's your choice, you don't have to. For me the community was a very positive thing which I missed after moving on. I still greet people in town I met at the YMCA and it makes me feel at home. I even have some good friendships from my time here.
From a homeless perspective they have helped alot. If you really have no help available and nowhere to go, they are here to help. Be a model person, don't have parties in your room. Don't cause hassle or play your music loud as many sleep in the day and awake at night, then they are happy to help you move on. If you cause problems they are less reluctant to help you. The big lesson to learn is don't lend money, it will either become and endless cycle where the money is not yours and gets given back and borrowed again, or you don't get it back. Even if you are trying to help and stop them losing a place to sleep, This goes for men and women alike. Keep your room clean and tidy as it gets checked by staff, and drug swab checks happen too. But... this works to your advantage as then you progress to one of the flats, this gives you your own toilet and shower rather than the usual shared. I would give a 5 star rating, but many things get broken (mostly because of other residents) and cleaners are not the best, you will find mess outside too, the usual cans, bottles and general rubbish around the place. They also do not work at weekends, so if a toilet or shower is left in a mess, its there till monday. As I said all common sense stuff. Easy to get stuck in a group, so if your a social butterfly then choose wisely, as this could impact your moving on from here. Hang with the wrong type and you can easily be tarred with the same brush, and also remember there is no honor amongst thieves. Your so called friends will blame you, if it gets them out of trouble. This could end up with you being thrown out. As for me, I love my little flat and ready to move on. I have nothing but respect for the staff, and my 2+ years here have been swift and mostly trouble free.
Good place to live, the staff and management are really nice and offer loads of support if you want or need it.
One YMCA High Wycombe Hostel is located at One, YMCA, Crest Rd, High Wycombe HP11 1UD, UK
You can contact One YMCA High Wycombe Hostel at +44 1494 465700
You can find directions to One YMCA High Wycombe Hostel by following this map link