Lee, 23

Lee

I started going to Fairbridge when I was 17, I was on an E2E course and I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my life.

I was drinking a lot, doing a mixture of class A-C drugs, living in a shared house and had no family support and got myself into a lot of debt.

When I first started at Fairbridge I was trying to find what direction I wanted my life to take, and build up my confidence. I started to go on Residentials and leadership courses and decided that I wanted to go into youth work and started volunteering with Millennium and worked with young people with Learning Difficulties.

Then I became a Dad and my focus was on being a parent and trying to find a job.

After two years the relationship with the mother of my daughter broke down and I ended up homeless, this led to me getting back onto drugs and drinking heavily.

I know that last time I came to Fairbridge it was a good place where I could sort myself out so last October (2007) I went back and started another access course.

Since then I have joined E’sUp and am now successfully on their aftercare programme and no longer have any drug/alcohol issues. I have regained a lot of my lost confidence and taken on some leadership roles with some of the younger people at Fairbridge. I have my own flat and I have been to Venture Trust and Sailed on board Spirit of Fairbridge and have taken part in the whole of the Tall Ships Race to Norway in July.

Fairbridge referred me to Ocean Youth Trust and I would like to get a career in sailing with young people.

My hope for the future is that I can gain more access to my daughter having really turned my life around and Fairbridge have really helped me maintain this change. Sometimes I feel if it was not for them I would still be a f**k up.

Phillipa, 17

Phillipa

I don’t really know why I came to Fairbridge, but I’m glad I did because I have made some really decent mates and have done some crazy things I never thought I would ever do!!!

When I first came I was really scared because I didn’t know anyone but everyone made me feel really welcome!!

Whilst I have been here I have done Rock climbing, Raft building, crate stacking etc., but best of all the DRAMA PROJECT which is awesome!!!

Fairbridge is amazing, all the staff are lovely and really patient and do everything they can to help with problems and to overcome any fears. They helped me to become more sociable and come out of my comfort zone!!

In the Future I want to be an Actress lol? And have loads of Money??

HELL YEAH!!

Honestly you should really come everyone is really lovely!!! =P