During a mental crisis back in September 2019 I found that being in my house caused me to spiral, making me feel physically sick; there was no logical reasoning for this, just my brain being a big ol’ drama queen at the time. To counter this I was looking for any and all local activities/events/voluntary work, and stumbled across a meet-up at People’s Parkfield for young people in the Torbay area called ‘The Imagine This festival’. Only having lived here for a year, at the time, I thought it would be something to help find social groups and clubs… It wasn’t, but it did peak my interest: How can we improve Torbay for young people? Well, I hadn’t experienced much of the negative in Torbay, as compared to the midlands where I used to live, Torbay was a dream! However, many of the other young people at the event seemed to think the opposite, so it was interesting to hear what those who grew up here thought were issues. My only negative experience was seeing the rough-sleepers in the Paignton high street, so I mentioned that and just… kept talking. Talking about homeless shelters and what could possibly be introduced in the area for those less fortunate. Apparently my blabbering must have gotten the attention of one of the staff that day, as they asked me for my email and a few weeks later I was contacted to get involved with Imagine This!
Honestly, the best decision of my life – going to that meet-up that day. It changed the course of my life for the better – now I am training to become a youth worker, which never would have happened without the support from the fantastic people at Imagine This – namely Jo and Lisa. <3
What’s been your proudest moment?
Without a doubt our Cosplay Gala in August 2024! I could go on and on about how amazing that day was, but I think our Aug’24 newsletter – on page 3 ( https://www.torbaycommunities.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Summer-Newsletter-2024.pdf ) sums everything up pretty well. Shameless bit of self-promo there, haha.
What are your hopes for the future?
I want to become a youth worker, and help others the way that I was helped back in 2019. Not to get too doom-and-gloom but… I was in a very bad head space, and becoming someone who works with and for young people was the most unexpected ray of sunlight I could ever have received. Helping others has helped me, almost as if the darkness was there to guide me forward and toward the path I was meant to take. I want to take that light and pass it forward, to help young people in their darkest hour and help them step into the sun and see the infinite possibilities which lie ahead for them.
That’s the long term goal, but for something more fun and short-term… another Cosplay Gala! Let’s get nerdy and dress up again soon, Torbay!