Karl

My name is Karl Sidwell I am going to talk to you about my experience and achievements I have had at Fairbridge.

I started back in April 09 after being in jail for 1 year when I first started on my access course I was a man with no self esteem or confidence. I was a bit scared of being in a group of 7 other young people I had never met before and as I wasn’t from this area it was quite intimidating, but the staff at the Fairbridge centre helped me get through my issues.

We did games, trust building and other activities. The one thing that surprised me the most was that these people who I never met before after 2 days I was sitting in a circle telling these strangers 5 things that was so close to me I have never told any other people ever, it gave me the confidence I needed to get on with my life.

Afterwards I went on to do a U2 choose course which involved me and other young people from the centre to take a group of under 16’s which I would never ever thought of doing. I also did other activities which included cooking and paddle power. I also got to go to Wales which helped me work on my patience and determination to see things through, something I struggled with in the past.

The most amazing thing I’ve done so far was going on spirit which is a tall ship and sailed it from Portsmouth to Plymouth. It was hard work but I learnt a lot about myself, you can’t run away from your problems as you’re stuck on the boat so you have to deal them.

During my Access I made a list about where I wanted to be in the future, I’ve now achieved everything on my list and I’m really proud of myself.

At the moment I have been working on a building site and now have the confidence to achieve anything that I put my mind to. In the 5 months I was at Fairbridge I have come from a man with low self esteem and no confidence, to a man who has bags of confidence and self esteem and I owe it all to Fairbridge.

Christine

I have been coming to Fairbridge for over a year now. In this time I have had the opportunity to complete many amazing courses. I have been on a week long residential hosted by Fairbridge in Kent. Being away from home is a big deal for me and this was the longest time I had ever spent away. I was so nervous before we left, but I really tried to remain positive.

On the course we got to use activities to develop our personal and social skills. We went Rock Climbing, Caving (and I got stuck), we spent a day in a music studio and we survived a day of bush craft training (on which the girls did better than the boys). On the Wednesday I was struggling and wanted to come home, but the Fairbridge staff helped me find the strength to stay and I proved something invaluable to myself, that I can do whatever I put my mind to. Later I even spent a week on the Spirit of Fairbridge.

Before coming to Fairbridge I found it difficult to be outside of my home. I felt unsafe and was doing very little with my life. Since being at Fairbridge I have really developed my confidence and my understanding of others. I have developed a real perseverance and I have belief in myself and what I can achieve.

I have just started college to study my Maths and English and have applied to do volunteering at Southampton City Council. I would love to go on to do youth work myself and hope to train to do this. Six months ago I didn’t think I would be in the position where I would be making these plans to move forward. Fairbridge has changed my Life.