Naomi's story

Naomi, now 21, had a hard time at school. “For me school was acting desperate, trying to fit in. Getting really bullied. I had such a crap time.” She tried to fit in by hanging out with the ‘hard or popular crews’ as she puts it. But they knew she was putting on an act which made the bullying even worse. She left school with no qualifications and no idea of what she wanted to do with her life.

She had a series of jobs in retail. She didn’t know what else to do. “I thought there was no job worth doing. Some people just get on with it and knuckle down. They stack shelves and do waitressing; but it’s mind-numbing and I just can’t do it. It’s like, a job at Macdonalds; it’s so easy that I find it hard. You have to do all those hours and you don’t get paid much.’

She had her son when she was 18. He wasn’t planned and the father is not in Naomi or her son’s life at all. Last year she was seriously ill. It made her look at her life and what she wanted from it. She says: “I want a career because I could die tomorrow and what will have I achieved? I want to help people.”

Naomi has started a course at college to help her to get to university. She wants to be a psychiatric nurse. It isn’t easy and there have been times when she felt like giving up. She knows going on to university will be even harder. What keeps her going is the thought that: “My son will go to school and not have to say ‘My mum’s on the dole.’ He’s got someone to look up to for the future - a role model.”

She is determined to be independent. “I want to support myself and not rely on government handouts and filling in forms. I want my own money. I can pay for everything myself.’

Naomi first came to YWCA in Doncaster when she was pregnant and since then has taken part in all kinds of courses, sessions and groups. She says: “YWCA has given me opportunities and support. I wasn’t always this confident. I’ve learned loads.”
She has discovered an interest in politics. She feels strongly that young women should be able to get a better education so they can understand the world around them better and use their voices and opinions to make changes.

“They should teach politics in schools in a way that is interesting and meaningful. Kids aren’t going to sit there and listen to who is the head of this and who is the head of that. They need to bring their own opinions and experiences to it and make it relevant.”

Naomi spoke at the labour party conference 2006 and met with Ruth Kelly MP.

 Read other young women's stories.