We're pleased to be able to share a recent good news story from
our Families Programme. For more information on the programme
click here.
Chelsea was referred to the Families Programme in Liverpool, run
by Reed in Partnership. At 22 years-old with a five year-old son,
Chelsea had never worked and was struggling. She experienced a
traumatic event late last year, which resulted in an exacerbation
in her existing anxiety and confidence issues.
Chelsea's Reed in Partnership Adviser, Noreen, spoke at length
with Chelsea and they decided that their first priority was to
improve her health. Chelsea was referred to Kaye, a member of
Reed's Health and Well-being Team as part of her first progress
measure to improve her mental health.
When Chelsea first was referred to the Health and Well-being
team she was living at her mum's house with her son because she was
frightened and anxious about staying in her own property overnight.
Chelsea was also unable to go out or use public transport without
the support of her friends and family.
During a series of sessions Kaye supported Chelsea to manage her
anxiety and develop confidence to increase her independence to
engage in occupational activity.
Chelsea is now able to independently go out, live in her own
home, and use public transport. This has opened up vast
opportunities for her - she is able to walk her son to school
independently and is planning to take driving lessons.
Noreen helped Chelsea to make the most of her new found
confidence and she has started a Maths and English Basic Skills
course with a local training provider, NEET Futures, so she can
later complete her Food Hygiene Certificate.
When Chelsea completes this she wants to set up a Children's
Baking Class in her local Children's Centre. She has also joined
other courses at the centre which she completes with her son -
improving her parenting skills, her son's social skills and
integrating her into the community and friendship groups for the
first time in a long while.
The next steps for Chelsea will be completing work experience
and exploring career options. Once Chelsea is ready to find work,
Reed in Partnership's Recruitment Team and Noreen will search for
suitable vacancies, ensuring she understands the financial changes
of starting work and will support Chelsea for at least the first
six months of her new job. Prior to interventions on the Families
Programme, Chelsea could not leave the house unaccompanied and she
is now well on her way to creating a stable and enriched life for
herself and her son.