Steven has been attending the Five Lamps Youthy since a young age
At first he was attending the; All Stars session which is for young people aged 7-10 years, this was relevant to his age group at the time and he attended the session twice a week
He has since moved on to the seniors group (for young people aged 11-18), the Youthy keeps Steven off the streets and out of trouble.
Steven was mentored by Senior Youth Worker Darren Iveson at the Youthy, who realised Steven was easily influenced by other young people and could often find himself getting into trouble with his behaviour. He also noted Stevens’s passion for football and got him involved in sports activities being delivered locally, to help keep him occupied.
Darren also signposted Steven to Anne Rookes who offers one to one support working in partnership with Stockton Borough Council on the YES Project (Youth Engagement Support) Anne works intensively with young people to move them forward into learning and employment.
Initially Steven was not interested in engaging with Anne, until Anne found a training provider that suited Steven’s needs. The Programme was Street League (Changing Lives through Football) this is an academy programme based in the Southland Centre in Middlesbrough delivering; Football coaching, matches & fitness, Employability workshops, one to one careers advice, functional skills and sport.
The training provider also offered opportunities to gain qualifications in employability and also to access work placements and employability opportunities.
Steven travelled five days a week from his home in Thornaby to the training provider, catching two buses and ensuring he was always arriving on time. He was growing daily in confidence and maturity. The programme ran over 12 weeks and by the end of the programme Anne Rookes was invited to the last day presentation event.
At the presentation event, Steven was presented with the award for the; Most Outstanding Student. He achieved this award as he was the young person who had achieved the most throughout the twelve week programme.
Anne Rookes said:
“I had kept a close eye on Stevens’s attendance, attitude and commitment, always making him aware of the support the Yes Project and Five Lamps have available. This is a huge success story a young man who attended The Youthy with no confidence and some real behaviour issues, to where he is today, Well done!”