Step Up met John when he was homeless and facing difficulties with his mental health and wellbeing. John was misusing substances, suffering from social isolation, and was extremely vulnerable and at risk of addiction.
Over time, John built a relationship with one of our support workers who was the Step Up mentor to a friend. John got to know us and our values and had experienced first-hand the support and care being offered by us. He decided he wanted to be a part of our programme, and through discussions with his Leaving Care team, John successfully joined Step Up.
When John started the programme, he had limited life skills and was struggling financially, he was unemployed and found it hard to budget his money. These concerns around money and the uncertainties that come with not having a stable source of income took a toll on John’s mental health.
However, through engaging with the help available to him through his individually tailored support package, and the close relationship he built with his mentor (the same Support Worker whom he had first met), John was able to turn his life around.
When John left Step Up, he had a job, his own tenancy in a safe and secure area, and the skills that he needed to go forward independently. He had learned to drive while on the Step Up programme, achieving his goals and increasing his employability.
John’s experience is typical of the young people who come to Step Up, and we believe that we can help them achieve the meaningful outcomes that will improve their quality of life for the better and for the long-term.
