Everyone should have a fair chance to discover who they are and what they can become.

YMCA Heart of England has been formed from the merger of YMCA Birmingham and YMCA Coventry & Warwickshire. It draws on a combined experience of 300 years of supporting young people and is proud to be part of the largest youth charity in the world.

YMCA believes in fairness and opportunity. There are essential building blocks for a full and rewarding life: a safe home; acceptance; guidance; friendship; physical and mental health; academic support; employment skills; and access to real opportunities. Many young people have never known these things; other people have lost one or more as they grew up, but we all need them. All of us. At YMCA, we provide these critical foundations for a fresh, strong start for young people and a better quality of life in the community.

• Arman’s Story. A Creative way to demonstrate the great work here at YMCA Heart of England.

At YMCA Heart of England, we continue to do our best, especially in our efforts to transform lives, bridge gaps, and ignite the flames of compassion within our hearts.

Compassion is not merely an act of generosity; it is a testament to our shared humanity, a binding force that transcends socioeconomic divides and connects us in the tapestry of human existence.

In essence, to encapsulate what we do on a day-to-day basis with our wonderful staff and workforce, we received a message from one of our former residents at our Northfield site, who has moved on into private housing after a few years of hardship and struggle.

His story inspired us, and through the wonderful work of animators at poshgecko we were able to bring his story to life.

This is his story.

(Although the story is real and genuine the name used is completely fictional to protect our former resident’s identity. Arman in Persian means Hope.