Inspiring Stories

“I said to my Universal Credit (“UC”) Work Coach that I needed help. I needed support to get myself together. Some guided support with my CV, knowing what to do and stuff.” That’s when they referred me to Works4Youth.

“I wasn’t doing anything and was stuck, not knowing what I wanted to do”.

My UC Coach explained Works4Youth to me at the Jobcentre in Horfield. It sounded like what I needed, so I said OK. You (Chris, Works4Youth mentor) then helped to finalise my CV.

You spent time getting to know me and getting that connection. We looked at Paul’s Place again, but they weren’t offering anything. We looked at other things, like volunteering at FACE, and jobs where I can help people.

“I realised I wanted to help people and give something back”.

We then practised writing cover letters to explain to people why I was interested in roles. You tried to talk to me about doing English and Maths again and showed me the Community Learning courses. I didn’t really want to do this but thought about it.

You then showed me a Traineeship at Southmead Hospital. It was just what I wanted. You connected me to Celia (North Bristol Trust Traineeship Programme Coordinator) and helped me apply. I have never had an interview before, so you helped me practice. I was so nervous so the practice was good. Then I had my interview and was told I would be a good fit for the programme and offered it. You walked down to the hospital with me to meet Celia.

 “I feel so proud of myself”.

After the traineeship, they could offer me an apprenticeship. People need to start crediting you and other mentors for what you do. You’ve (Chris) committed. You got me this (Traineeship). It only took the first couple of times meeting Chris to feel we have a connection with each other.

“I felt excited about the support ‘cause you’ve shown me the opportunities. If it wasn’t for Works4Youth, I wouldn’t be in this position”.

You’ve helped me discover what I want as I was in the dark for years and years, trying out jobs that didn’t work. I have achieved my goals and got onto the traineeship, which is work experience and learning. I also have to do English and Maths on it too. The traineeship is working in Southmead Hospital three days a week with 2 days learning. It’s for 8 weeks, then I get a job interview and hopefully an apprenticeship. Celia told me that I could extend the traineeship if I’m doing well on it. I’ll be helping out at the hospital and I know the place really well. I am nervous and excited. I don’t want to be left in the dark at the end and my aim is to get the job after.’’

Lucy was unemployed when she was referred to Works4Youth via DWP. She had previously worked as a carer and hoped to work with young children in the long term.

Lucy was matched with Employability Mentor, Lucy Farmer, and they worked together, step by step, to achieve Lucy’s goal of finding a job that fits with her life commitments.

When asked about the impact of engaging with Works4Youth, Lucy said “I wouldn’t have my job without Lucy (her Employability Mentor), and I appreciate this. She has helped me find the job, sat with me whilst I did my application form, and we spoke before my interview. She’s helped me with my confidence and showed me the courses that I could access to improve my Maths.”

Since joining Future Bright, Lucy has built her confidence, “I can say I was feeling different when we first met, everything was very negative, I had no belief in myself, to now I have more confidence. I feel more positive about myself and I’m excited and walk with my head held high. My confidence overall has improved.”

Lucy struggles with anxiety around new people but talking to her mentor really helped as she felt listened to. She now understands that she needs to take time with her mental health issues.

Lucy encourages others to engage with Works4Youth as she said, “I’ve got a job and I feel so positive about the future now”.

Eighteen-year-old Miss S is a care leaver who has suffered great adversity growing up as a victim of child abuse. She has been moved many times, including to a secure unit, and her trauma and experiences have resulted in poor mental health, substance misuse, a lack of engagement in education, and suicidal tendencies.

Miss S is making a change for herself this year. She is now in a supported housing placement and has the support of a mental health nurse, and 1625 Independent People. With the assistance of these service teams, she can think positively for the first time.

Miss S met Works4Youth at a Care Leaver drop-in session provided by South Gloucestershire Council. Together with her Works4Youth mentor, they have discovered a bright future for her; building on her strengths and passions to lay those paving stones in front of her and leave the past behind. They are now looking to work alongside Southern Brooks to sign up for volunteering in her new local community to build on those strengths and skills and provide valuable self-esteem.

Miss S was also able to return to education by using Works4Youth to fund an English and Maths course with the Community Learning programme.

As a great sufferer from mental health, Miss S took it upon herself to express her feelings through poetry. She shared three poems with Works4Youth to allow others to gain a greater understanding of how young people who have suffered abuse can process things during their darkest times.

Please contact us if you encounter a similar situation to Miss S and want to make a change.

POEMS

 Mr A

We work hand in hand to support you

Let’s look at Mr A’s story to see an example of how we collaborate across teams within the council to make a difference in the lives of local people and communities