We've been supporting Lucy through our programme called 'Discovering Your Potential', a service to help care leavers into employment, education and training.
Lucy has mild learning difficulties and suffers with anxiety, which has been a persistent barrier for her socially and practically.
When we first met Lucy, she was living with her boyfriend who was her only source of support. She was not working and preferred to stay at home, due to her anxiety. She felt unable to do things without him by her side.
We met Lucy every week at her flat, and began to build a relationship with her. We showed her that we believed in her abilities, and had faith that she could reach her goals. Our consistency and ‘stickability’ helped us develop a good understanding of the support she needed. She told us she would be interested in early years education, so we contacted a training provider in this area and supported Lucy to meet them and start their training course. She thrived on the course and progressed on to work in a local nursery in her town.
Lucy’s confidence grew steadily as she enjoyed earning and contributing to the household. Deciding that childcare was definitely the career path for her, she enrolled at college and started her National Certificate Course in Early Education and Childcare, while continuing to work.
Recently, Lucy’s relationship broke down and she was almost homeless. However, by continuing to support her we were able to put a new support plan in place which helped her to remain in work and at college. Lucy is now in a new home and successfully managing her own tenancy.
Our consistency and ‘stickability’ helped us develop a good understanding of the support she needed.