REAL LIFE: Luke is enabled to succeed

School for Luke had not gone fantastically well. With a history of non-attendance he ended up with few qualifications and a referral order. Housing issues were evident as relationship problems emerged at home with mum. He eventually ended up in estrangement and then B&B accommodation.

 

Luke was unable to consider training or staying in a job, his confidence dropped even lower and he ended up homeless. YMCA Nightstop stepped in and eventually he was given a place in supportive accommodation.

 

This is where YMCA Norfolk Personal Advisor Emma Montgomery came in.

 

"Luke faced continual stress over his unsettled housing and financial situation," she explained. "He would have liked to still be living at home like a normal teenager but this was just not possible. There were lots of things that made life difficult to manage; there was still no job or training despite several attempts. Eventually Luke moved into new council accommodation, but even then things were still causing stress.

 

"We start making regular contact by text and phone, and face-to-face meetings, either at Open – the Connexions centre, in the city or home visits. During my first home visit, Luke opened up and explained all the things in his life that were causing him stress and that he couldn't manage anymore. He cried.

 

"We went through them one by one and started making the calls there and then, enabling Luke to start moving on with his life and unwrapping the layers of stress.

 

"Together we were able to sort out rent arrears, fill out council tax benefits forms, get a metered gas supply sorted out, give budget advice on paying bills and rent, collect a food box from Norwich Vineyard Church to help in the first week of his new home, resubmit a claim for Community Care Grant application and search and apply for job vacancies.

 

"This produced many positive outcomes. Stonham Homestay was at hand to provide help to Luke with any housing issues such as rent arrears and budgeting. With a settled housing situation Luke was then able to gain and then stay in employment which in turn resolved his financial worries.

 

“Finally, the Community Care Grant resubmission was successful and Luke was awarded £900. He used this money wisely to decorate his new house with carpets, buy the appliances he desperately needed such as a washing machine and oven and turn his house into a home. Luke is now enabled to succeed."