Samuel is 26 years old and suffers from mental health problems. His experience of education was negative and he left school without qualifications. At a young age he became involved in crime which resulted being sentenced to a term in a secure unit for people with mental health issues.
Upon his release Sam was referred to Red Kite Learning’s Southwark Works employment adviser for support in his journey back into the community and for help with accessing opportunities in learning, training and/or employment. At first he felt frustrated, and expressed a fear that he was “out of touch with reality,” and was also concerned about the “stigma attached to people who have mental health issues and who are ex-offenders”.
During regular one-to-one sessions with his employment adviser Sam realised he had a genuine interest in computers. He also realised that he would like to study psychology at university. As he had no qualifications, Red Kite Learning helped him plan how to start by building up his skills and confidence levels. Since then Sam has, in a short space of time, completed a computer maintenance course encompassing software installation, hardware maintenance and trouble shooting. He is now working towards GCSEs in Maths, English, Statistics and Chemistry, and will shortly begin GCSE Biology.
Sam is overcoming the barriers of an offending history and mental health problems and is now confidently planning his future as a university student. Sam’s adviser Chris Hughes says he is “very pleased to see such a bright and intelligent individual breaking through his barriers and realising his true potential. Sam has come a long way!”
Sam explains, “I have no regrets working with my employment adviser, Chris, and Red Kite Learning. It has been a very pleasant experience and I have found their advice very helpful. I know there must be a lot of people who would more than benefit from working with such an organisation.”
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(Published November 2008)
