My Life: Billie Murphy, 20, Southampton

I became a tenant at George Williams House at YMCA Southampton - now called YMCA Fairthorne Group – in 2013. Before this, I had been sofa-surfing wherever I could for more than a year and sometimes resorted to sleeping on the streets. I couldn't see much opportunity for a way out. I had no money, was suffering from severe depression and anxiety, and become isolated from my family due to alcohol and drug misuse.

However, as a result of living at YMCA, I started to get my life back on track, gaining support for my alcohol and drug misuse, boosting my self-esteem and gaining confidence to find employment. I worked at a variety of temporary jobs, but nothing permanent.

In February 2015, the YMCA held talks with Southampton City Council about taking over Newtown Youth Centre. When I first saw Newtown, I fell in love with it and offered to volunteer.

I worked continuously from day one for three months, unpaid, before an opportunity came up to become an apprentice. I am now a full-time apprentice youth worker, qualifying in March.

Through my years of being a tenant at YMCA and the many different support sessions I have taken part in, I've developed a passion to become a youth worker.

The help I was lucky enough to receive changed my life and to be able to go into a job where I could go to work knowing I was helping young people is my dream.