Supported Lodgings update
Inspiring Runnymede's NEETS
The Inspire course was designed for NEET young people by Dan at east to west in partnership with youth justice and the local police. The 16 week course which is broken down into two eight week long streams was focused at those young people who were known by the local police for things other than being simply NEET.
The first eight week course focused on preparing the young people for work or education by giving them interview techniques, writing their CV's, looking at what could hamper their chances of getting a job (e.g. criminal activities), and introducing the group to all the local education providers so they have a clear idea of what facilities there are for them to get the qualifications they need for successful employment.
We had five young people attend the first eight week course of which now one has successfully found full-time employment in their desired career, one has successfully enrolled onto a course in order to gain his GCSE's and found some part-time work, another young person has successfully found some part-time employment, and one young person has found an apprenticeship in a garage as a mechanic. The remaining young person have more complex needs so the second eight week course will be very beneficial for them.
All five of the young people enjoyed the course and have expressed their desire to keep the group going on a less formal basis.
For the second eight weeks we will be looking at each young person's situation individually and looking at how we can facilitate their successful journey into securing long term employment. In this we will be focusing on the individual needs of each young person and the barriers they have in their lives that stop them from gaining qualifications or finding a job. Through this process we hope to be able to help the young people find employment in their desired career. Each session will be designed to focus on each young person in their own right rather than lots of group work which took place in the first eight weeks.
Schools work changes lives
by Nicola Lainsbury
Luke's story is a clear example of why being based in a school makes such a difference. I met Luke at the beginning of the school year, said a few hellos but nothing more than that. Then in February he started attending one of east to west's support groups and that was the point life started to change for the positive. Luke had been taken into care when he was five following on from abuse by his siblings and after a near fatal assault by his mother. As you'd imagine he struggles with self-esteem and has difficulties controlling his temper which limits his interaction with his peers.
Just getting him to attend the group each week was a miracle in itself as he'd with draw himself and often walk out. Yet each week he'd hear the others share their life stories, both the highs and lows and gradually he learnt to trust and realised they too had issues. It took some time but he eventually decided to share his story which was a profound and humbling moment.
Luke now engages with the group, goes on cinema trips, sends instant messages like it is going out of fashion and allows the other guys to hang out with him at break. Which in turn has boosted his confidence and self-esteem. Maybe the greatest outworking of Hope is that he now has friends and the long journey of reconciliation with mum as begun.