Taya's Story

From the beginning, Hannah and Nathan were really welcoming, which made it easy for me to settle in and feel comfortable. During my time at Hall Green, I’ve taken part in so many different activities. One of my favourite memories is the Games Night it was loads of fun and a great way to connect with others. I also remember Movie Night, which we even watched outside! It was a bit cold, but it made the experience more memorable. Over the months, I’ve also joined various workshops with the youth workers. One that really stood out was the Her Future session focused on women’s safety. It was eye-opening to learn about the different ways we can keep ourselves safe and how important it is to raise awareness about these issues.

I’m also proud to be a member of the Youth Voice Steering Group. Through what I’ve learned in the women’s safety sessions, I’ve been able to contribute ideas about improving safety in our area. I’ve shared thoughts about creating safe zones and even the idea of having a safer bus service in Hall Green and Wakefield. It feels good to know that my voice is being heard and that I can make a difference in my community.

Another highlight for me was the cooking session, especially when we made fajitas from scratch. It felt great to show off my cooking skills and learn something new in the kitchen. It’s moments like these that make Thursday sessions something I look forward to I never get bored and it’s a positive way to spend my time.

Working with Rachel has been amazing too. She makes every activity enjoyable, and what I really appreciate is that she treats everyone as individuals and makes sure everyone feels included. Being part of the Halloween events has been another fun experience, it really brings the community together and creates a sense of belonging.

Coming to the community centre each week has not only given me something positive to do, but it’s also helped me grow as a person. I’ve seen a real improvement in my confidence and social well-being, and I’m really grateful for all the opportunities Hall Green has given me.