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We have another fantastic success story to share with you here. While we very much wanted to highlight that ‘success’ wasn’t only about getting a good job or doing well at school, Ryan’s story is an amazing example of how engaging in activities that prepare you for your future can be a perfect way to make you feel good about yourself in the here and now. Here, Julia Hannam, Programme Coordinator at Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN), shares Ryan’s inspiring story:
Ryan was introduced to ‘Build Your Future’ by his Education & Careers Advice Worker. He was eager to explore the world of construction but had little knowledge or experience of this upon joining. Following a difficult experience of education, Ryan benefitted from GMYN’s informal approach versus classroom based learning.
He continued to engage with GMYN alongside regular check-ins from his support worker, receiving wraparound support with a joined up approach. Ryan was initially tentative in exploring new and unfamiliar environments, including live building sites, however, through 1:1 support, he was able to access these spaces to confirm his interest in construction.
He took part in a significant number of group workshops, ‘World of Work’ visits, and 1:1’s. He also completed a x3 day work experience placement, gaining a City & Guilds Health & Safety qualification and training in Painting & Decorating from industry professionals.
Ryan benefitted most from 1:1 support in accessing new opportunities and this helped him to work through his reservations and anxieties in a safe and supportive environment. When things became overwhelming, GMYN were able to support Ryan with coping strategies to better manage these situations.
The more Ryan engaged, the better equipped he felt to deal with what came next and his confidence grew each time he took part in a new experience.
Ryan continues to engage with GMYN’s ‘Build Your Future’ program while on the waiting list for a Level 1 in Construction Skills course with The Growth Company. Alongside construction, he also hopes to study for his Functional Skills Maths and English qualifications.
The biggest benefit of the programme for Ryan has been the individualised support he has received, taking steps towards his goals at a pace that has felt achievable without being overwhelming. Throughout the project he has demonstrated improved self-awareness and perseverance.
He has also learnt to take risks in a managed way, through the support of a network of trusted adults. Next steps for Ryan on the extended programme include working towards his CSCS Card qualification and taking part in some more practical work experience.
While the fact that he has now achieved, or is working towards, these qualifications that will make finding work much more manageable, the main thing that shows how successful he has been is in the changes to his confidence and wellbeing and the ways in which he views himself. Ryan found it difficult to engage with people in his early workshops and visits, but at later visits you couldn’t stop him from asking questions.
When Ryan thinks about his time with GMYN, he tells us he feels good about himself when ‘I have a reason to get out the house,’ ‘I’m visiting new places,’ ‘I’m meeting new people’, ‘I am learning something new’, and ‘what I am learning is useful.’ When he was asked what has improved for him because of his time on the programme, he said ‘my mental health has improved a lot’ – ‘when I left school, I was worried about what I was going to do, now I feel less pressure.’ He said, ‘I have some structure and routine’, ‘I am more confident travelling to new places by bus, train, and tram’ and ‘I also have a higher chance of being employed.’
We asked Ryan how he felt that being successful by taking part in this project had helped his wellbeing and he told us ‘a lot has changed for the better’ – ‘having the freedom to choose what I do instead of being told what to do’ and ‘it’s just about doing stuff – doing nothing, or doing something you don’t enjoy, is hard.’ Ryan has been able to improve his everyday mood by doing something which showed him that he has the skills he needs to progress in the future.
Julia says: ‘Ryan has shown a huge amount of courage in stepping outside of his comfort zone and challenging himself with new experiences. For me, Ryan’s greatest success has been the transformation in his confidence.’
Ryan’s story is such a good example of the difference that feeling good about yourself can make to your wellbeing. By being supported through some difficult initial feelings by Julia and others at GMYN, Ryan was able to build the confidence to progress to a place where he can feel more hope and optimism for his future and, just as importantly, where his everyday ability to cope and to find purpose have improved exponentially! Well done, Ryan.
