Rob, 21

Before I came to Fairbridge I was suffering with mental health problems, mainly anxiety, panic attacks and depression. I didn’t have many friends and I found it hard to go out in social situations so my confidence was at an all time low.

I first heard about Fairbridge in March 2007 when a Community Mental Health Worker from the Home Intervention & Crisis Resolution Service took me in for an induction to meet the staff and see what Fairbridge was all about. I was very nervous that day and was wondering whether I was ready to make the step but I decided to push myself and I signed up for an Access course in April 2007, little did I know that this was gonna be the best decision I ever made!

When I turned up for the first day of my Access I was so anxious but everyone was so friendly both the staff and the other young people were great. It was nice to meet other young people with similar problems.

I had a great time on the Access course and I got to try out many different pursuits including canoeing, gorge walking, rock climbing etc. I found the rock climbing challenging and on my first attempt I only got half way up so I decided to have a second attempt and that time I made it to the top. It goes to show that with determination and a supportive team behind you, you can achieve anything.

After my Access course I started coming back to Fairbridge regularly to do Follow On courses. I still found it hard to come into Fairbridge due to feeling anxious and getting panicky on public transport but the staff were always patient and understanding but the more I came into Fairbridge my confidence began to grow and getting public transport became second nature. With new confidence I found it easier to make friends and I have made really great fiends at Fairbridge and see them all regularly outside of Fairbridge. I’ve enjoyed doing the cooking courses and art courses and all the outdoor pursuits. My favourite experiences were sailing round the Scottish Isles on the Spirit of Fairbridge and the Environmental Residential in February 2008.

I’ve now been at Fairbridge for 2 years and during this time I have achieved so much and have grown as a person and I now feel so much happier and confident and ready for new challenges. I have recently just travelled to Scotland by myself to do a voluntary placement on the Isle of Harris. I had a great time there and soon I will be going by myself to Finland to do another voluntary placement. I’m in a good place at the moment and feel that life is great! I don’t know where I would be now if it wasn’t for Fairbridge, they have been a saviour to me and have helped me get to where I am now. I am very grateful to all the staff and my friends at Fairbridge for all their support. As for the future I want to do more travelling and eventually get into nursing as being at Fairbridge has made me realise that I would like to help others.

"I first came to Fairbridge because I wanted to improve my self-confidence and try new things.

I live half the week in a sheltered housing centre for people with special needs, and half of the week at my parents’ house. I had done some training in the past and had some temporary jobs, I struggled a with a lot of the work and I felt very low in confidence.

My Connexions worker told me about Fairbridge and I came down to see what it was like. I felt quite nervous when I first got there, but I met my key worker, and after about five minutes I felt fine because she was so nice and funny.

Before my access course I was introduced to another girl so that I would know somebody before I went away and she was lovely. Then we went to the Brecon Beacons where we did abseiling, gorge walking and stuff. It was hard going as it was hailing when we were coming down a mountain, but it was really good because everybody helped everyone else to get through. I never thought I'd do it but we got through.

I came back as many times as possible after that. Some times that was five days a week.

What I like about it is the staff, and making new friends. I also love the courses – I’ve done almost all of them... especially the cooking courses, which I've done lots of. It isn’t just about learning how to cook – we start off with a budget of £15 for about 10 people and then look up recipes, think about healthy ingredients, and what the likely costs are. It's all about independent living skills.

Fairbridge makes me feel good about myself. Every time I do something I’m achieving new goals I didn’t know I could do.

It has taught me to be more confident and helped me to try new things and this summer I have been doing all kinds of volunteering with Young Bristol.

I originally wanted to work with little children but my illness has stopped me. Fairbridge is helping me think and plan what I can do next. I’ve got so much more confidence from being here, I’m sure I can do it."