This Youth Employment Week, Ryan shares his journey from uncertainty to ambition, and how EveryYouth Employed helped him take the next step towards his dream career.
My name’s Ryan*. Growing up I was lonely and I didn’t have a great relationship with my foster family. I felt like I was losing lots of my friends because they were hanging around with crowds, I didn’t want to be part of and getting involved in things I wanted to get away from.
Things felt very bleak before I found the support of my local EveryYouth charity, The Benjamin Foundation. Finding their support was a relief and they helped me move into my own place so I could live independently. They helped me with bill payments and how to manage living as an adult. I suddenly felt like I had to rely on myself which made me more confident and comfortable in doing things by myself because I had no other choice.
After initial work with staff at The Benjamin Foundation to get everything in order with housing, I was introduced to the job coach to see what additional support could be offered relation to employability.
I always had long term aspirations of joining the police and was in the process of applying. I required financial support to get new GCSE certificates as the ones issued from school were incorrect and the application could not progress without these.
Funding from EveryYouth Employed’s Boost Fund was provided along with job coach support, thanks to EveryYouth Employed, so I could complete the relevant documentation and get original copies sent to me, so I could continue with my police application. I’m getting closer to being ready for enrolment into my job with added prospects of securing a degree too.
I’m extremely thankful for the financial support from EveryYouth as at the time I had no means to pay for the different exam boards to get my certificates, so I felt a little stuck with my application.
My hopes for the future are to have a long and successful career in the police force. Outside of work I have also grown a lot personally.
I feel like having my own place, my own car, my own pet and all the other little things I can call mine make me feel like a proper adult and give me a sense of pride in myself that I have things to be responsible for.
I remember how negative I felt not too long ago and I use that to remind myself why I’m so focused on my goals and to not veer off course.
Find out how you can help more young people like Ryan access the support they need.
*Name has been changed.
