As part of our No Young Person Alone Big Give Christmas Challenge this year, we are sharing Charlie’s story to show how our Network supports young people at Christmas and how your donations can help:

I’m Charlie, I’m 23 years old, and I wanted to share how life changing it was to feel supported by my local EveryYouth charity at Christmas.  

I first found Roundabout when my mental health worker referred me, at a time when I honestly felt really lost. Everything in my life felt unstable, and I didn’t feel like I belonged anywhere.

Coming to Roundabout was one of the first times in a long while when I felt like someone actually saw me and cared about what I was going through. 

Last year at Christmas, I received presents from Roundabout. I wasn’t expecting anything at all, so when they handed me those gifts, it completely caught me off guard. It wasn’t just the presents themselves, it was the feeling behind them. I felt loved. I felt accepted.

I felt included in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time. For once, I didn’t feel like I was on the outside looking in. It made me feel like I mattered. 

The gifts were all thoughtful and useful, but the emotional impact was the biggest thing. Christmas can be a really tough time when you’re not surrounded by family or when life hasn’t gone the way you hoped.

Having someone think of me, choose something for me, and show kindness like that meant more than I can explain. It made what could have been a lonely, painful day into something warm and hopeful. 

What I enjoyed most wasn’t even the presents, but the feeling of being part of a community, part of a family in a way. It reminded me that there are people who genuinely care about me, not because they have to, but because they want to. 

“Christmas can be a really tough time when you’re not surrounded by family. Having someone…show kindness meant more than I can explain. It made what could have been a lonely, painful day into something warm and hopeful.”

Having this support at Christmas and in general was honestly life-changing. It lifted me when I was struggling. It helped me feel grounded and safe.

It reminded me that I’m not alone, and that there really are people who want to see me do well.  

It has given me more confidence, more hope, and more belief that things can get better. Roundabout didn’t just help me with somewhere to live — they helped me feel human again, and that’s something I’ll never forget. 

Support more young people like Charlie by donating to EveryYouth’s Big Give Christmas Challenge before 12pm on December 9 – and your impact will be doubled!