Tom

When Tom and his family returned to the UK from Holland, Tom was 16 and with qualifications gained at a Dutch school, assumed he could slot into a school or further education facility easily in the UK. Unfortunately he was to be disappointed. “It was a nightmare because I had no British qualifications,” recalls Tom, from Plymouth. “No school would take me for the sixth form so I found myself drifting into a series of jobs including a mechanic and window fitter. Nothing really appealed and so I got in touch with the Prince’s Trust and did a training course with them. While I was there Young Devon came to give a talk and I got involved with a volunteer project at a primary school.” Impressed by his positive attitude Young Devon asked Tom if he would like to work with them for a year as a volunteer on their Gap Scheme – a year-long volunteering placement. Tom is now nearing the end of his time at Young Devon but the work he has done has gained him a place at Liverpool University to study youth and community. “I wasn’t expecting to take to volunteering as much as I did but I really enjoyed myself and it’s given me the opportunity to go into higher education, despite my lack of formal UK qualifications,” says Tom. Tom’s volunteer work has been varied and has included shadowing the interviews for the post of Chair of the Children’s Trust, putting on community plays and developing a pilot scheme to enable young people to have a say in how youth services are run. “I’ve done so much in the last year, it’s been a huge boost to my confidence and has made me realise just how important volunteering is within the community. It’s a fantastic organisation to get involved with because there are so many different things to turn your hand to.”

 

LISA

Lisa, 23, lives in a Young Devon property in Ilfracombe, North Devon. “I was kicked out of home when I was 20. My family and I hadn’t been getting on for a while and I desperately needed my own space. “I ended up sleeping on friends’ sofas for several months. I tried not to outstay my welcome and would move between them regularly because I didn’t want to jeopardise the friendships. “Luckily a friend happened to mention that she’d heard of a local charity – Young Devon - that offered housing support to young people in my kind of situation. I went and had a chat with them and was told to keep in touch as hopefully something would come up. “Not long afterwards I got a call to say I’d been successful and they could offer me a temporary bedsit in my home town of Ilfracombe. It was fantastic to have a place to call my own and having that space meant I was finally able to start building bridges with my family. I ended up staying there for five months before being offered more permanent accommodation by Young Devon. “As well as putting a roof over my head Young Devon also supported me in other practical ways. They helped me access the benefits I was entitled to and were there to talk things through when I needed them. “I’m currently on Income Support but my ambition is to work with young children. At the moment I volunteer for the Young Devon’s youth group, a drop-in service called VERVE, which is open three nights a week (Mon, Tues, Fri 6.30-9.30pm for ages 14-25) at the housing project. It’s a way in which young people can get together, have fun, and also find out more about Young Devon in a relaxed setting. It feels good to be able to put something back and point others in the right direction who are facing the same problems I was.”

KAYLEIGH

Kayleigh Thorn is just one of the many youths helped by the charity Young Devon. At 13 she was directed to Youthwize in Tavistock by social services: “After a difficult childhood I was left with nowhere to go. When social services directed me to Youthwize I didn’t know much about them but they were amazing. They helped me get into council housing and helped me to deal with my grief”, claims Kayleigh, now 17. “One of the best things they did was introduce me to Lily. Lily has been my counsellor for nearly four years and has helped me to move forwards – to places I never really thought I would reach. As well as helping me emotionally, she helps me to make plans for my future and set goals. She has enabled me to create a balance in my life. - “In my four years at Youthwize I have made lots of friends and joined in many of the schemes that they offer which has given me much more confidence. I joined the ‘Youth Bank’ and completed a course on how to be a youth worker. I am also part of the ‘Young Carer’ scheme as I have to look after my Mum. Youthwize help with the care and take over for short periods to allow me time for myself. They have arranged a number of fun activities and are always on-hand for support when I need them. “I have no doubt that if it wasn’t for Youthwize, I would be sleeping in a cardboard box. Instead, I have a home, friends and I’ve recently enrolled as an art student. I really enjoy art and I now have the confidence to pursue it.” The Tavistock advice centre is open Mondays 1-5, Wednesdays 1-8 and Fridays 1-4. They can also be contacted on 01822 612555. For more details about Young Devon, please visit www.youngdevon.org