Chris, 22

Chris is 22 and was referred to Fairbridge initially by his key worker at the supported accommodation unit he was living in, during the summer of June 07. He had been looked after/accommodated during his entire childhood and, on leaving care, went immediately into the homeless hostel system in Glasgow. Due to erratic school attendance, Chris has poor literacy and numeracy skills. He also had developed a strong cannabis habit which was affecting his motivation. In addition, his self-esteem was very low and he had no work experience.

Chris completed his Access course in the summer of 2007 and immediately grasped the concepts of personal development and positive change. He set himself a series of long and short term goals focused around continued development, gaining and sustaining his own tenancy and eventually gaining employment. In early 2008 he gained a place on Raleigh International, participating in a 10 week placement in Costa Rica. On his return to Scotland, however, he was forced to return into the homeless system and re-engaged with Fairbridge. He completed a wide variety of Fairbridge programme courses, including an Employability course and Video Production. He was referred to a 6 day trip on our tall ship, The Spirit of Fairbridge. On his return, he was visibly more motivated, describing the course as a changing point in his life.

Due to his success during the trip, Chris was asked to return as a volunteer, with the potential of gaining a trainee position in the future. Over the following months, he completed several courses with the Spirit, including taking part in the Small Ships Race and became a committed and popular member of the team. His work with his peers was especially praised.

Chris has now gained his own tenancy, which he is sustaining. He has also drug free. The post of Trainee Mate on the Spirit of Fairbridge has recently become available. Chris has completed an application for the post.

JamieLeigh, 17

‘Before I came to Fairbridge I was hanging about in the streets, getting into trouble with the police and I had problems with my anger.

I heard about Fairbridge when I was at School but didn’t get the chance to try it out. I had just left college and was looking for something to do so I popped in one day when I was passing by. This is when I met Helena and she told me what I could do at Fairbridge and I started a few weeks later.

I did my Access at Fairbridge and it was a total buzz. I met new friends and we did loads of activities on resi including canoe football. The next courses I did at Fairbridge were surfing, 3 gorges in 3 days, hill walking, power kiting and loads more. I even went sailing on the spirit for 6 days and did the 10k race for life in London!

I really enjoyed all my courses and it really helped me with my anger problems. I also gained confidence, motivation, new skills and much more!

Fairbridge also got me into the Princes Trust. Through them I did more outdoor activities, made a CV and built a pond for the riding disabled. I also did work experience with the army.

Since finishing Princes Trust I have still been doing army training. I have been training every week in Glasgow and passing all my tests. I now leave at the end of April to do my training full time for 3 months in Surrey.

I am really proud of myself for starting Fairbridge, moving onto the Princes Trust and now about to start my dream job doing engineering in the Army’