“I was placed in an alternative education programme until sixteen. At seventeen I was attending therapy for anger issues and was a horrible person to be around. I had been involved with the police and was charged for possession of a deadly weapon and then I became a parent.
“Being a father happened way too young, I was a child myself. The situation caused me severe mental stress. I was spending huge amounts on drugs and was self-harming to get myself through the day. There were several occasions when I considered taking my own life.
“I heard about YG through my ex-partner and the job centre, since then I haven’t looked back. That small step has had such an impact on my life. By working with YG I have found a new confidence, I am proud of myself for what I have achieved with their support. They didn’t judge me for my past and were patient and fair. They challenged me to be a better person and believed in me.
“Since working with YG I have gone on to study a course in Health & Social Care at Gloucestershire College and am waiting to hear about starting an apprenticeship within the NHS. YG has supported me to get my life back on track. I am now in my own flat, in supported housing and looking towards a better future for me and my little boy.”
