Carl, 15

Carl was referred to Fairbridge by his Education Welfare Officer after concerns about his attendance. He had disengaged from the curriculum completely and was refusing to attend the onsite alternative provision. After a number of failed attempts to get him into other forms of alternative education, Carl was referred to Fairbridge.

Initially, Carl refused to participate in the activities on the access, or with staff. He didn't feel it was necessary to mix with others and get along with people as he didn't need to. He said that he wanted to get into painting and decorating when he left school and that he didn't need to learn to communicate with others because he would work on his own. He still continued to turn up for sessions however, and after a few days he tried an abseil something he had never done before and found that he enjoyed it. He gradually became more responsive and began to participate and mix with the group. By the time he had finished the access, he was ready to move onto the follow on programme and chose the DIY project and Sports & Healthy lifestyles.

Carl has just achieved an ASDAN short course award and has now started Oakmere College, where he will work towards an NVQ 1 in Painting & Decorating as well a Sports Leadership Award and still incorporates GCSE Maths & English.

Getting Carl to participate and engage in anything at all is an achievement in itself. His progress has been slow but steady and I am delighted that he will be able to work towards something that he really wants to do and still achieve GCSE's in core subjects. Fairbridge have done a fantastic job with Carl. This was a young person that no-one could get through to and could have ended up with no education at all and his parents being prosecuted

- Education Welfare Officer.

Emily, 15

Emily came to Fairbridge after her Mum had heard about it from a friend. She had been a victim of bullying and her confidence and self esteem had been severely affected as a result. She was so unhappy that she had attempted to take her own life.

Emily presented as a very quiet, shy young lady, but agreed to join the Fairbridge Access course. After these initial confidence issues, Emily began to make friends during the course. Emily’s confidence grew and she became more able to deal with the people who had been making her life difficult. However, as the time grew closer for Emily to return to school, her Mum made the decision to remove her and try to gain a place elsewhere. She was beginning to see the ‘old Emily’ again and it was felt that putting her back amongst the bullies would shatter her new found confidence. In the meantime, it was agreed that Emily would move on to the Follow On programme and she began attending 2 days a week, which included the Expressive Arts.

Emily settled quickly and soon achieved an ASDAN Activity Award and also completed a course on Spirit. She was able to leave behind all the anxiety of being bullied and her confidence and self worth developed. While Emily was with Fairbridge, her Mum contacted the education authority and after numerous telephone calls, letters and meetings Emily was offered a place in a different school. They were impressed with Emily and her determination to continue to do something with her life. She is now attending school full time and recently visited the Fairbridge team to update us on her progress. She hopes to gain enough GCSEs to get into further education and eventually study forensic science.

Thank you all so much for the help that you gave Emily. I know that she is going to miss everyone. Without your help I don’t know what we would have done. I hope the confidence that she has built up in Fairbridge will help her through her new school I appreciate that it is all down to your help

Emily’s Mum.