Case Study: Supporting a Young Person through our Resilient Futures Project

We faced difficulties with a lack of understanding around the James’ anxiety, particularly when it came to physically getting through the doors of a new place like the Hub. This was often a major barrier. Building trust and relationships with staff he didn’t know, as well as with new friends he met at the sessions, was initially very challenging due to his past experiences and emotional withdrawal. It also took time to identify activities and interests that the he genuinely enjoyed, which was important in helping him feel a sense of belonging. The programme of activities and support we offer is designed to be as varied as possible, and it took time for James to explore and find his place in it.

Once he was in, another sensitive challenge arose during conversations and group activities where other participants would talk about family occasions and holidays. These moments brought up James’ own experience of loss and the absence of a family member, which could be emotionally triggering for him. Our staff and James did lots of work on allowing him to push through these difficult patches and still attend the sessions and groups he now got so much benefit from.

Throughout our time with him, we decided to take a patient, individualised approach with James, focusing on building trust and understanding his unique needs. This involved spending dedicated one-on-one time to create a safe and supportive environment where he felt heard and valued. We encouraged him to gradually try new and different activities, always at his own pace, to help build confidence and discover his interests. By offering consistent encouragement and positive reinforcement, we were able to support James’ engagement and begin breaking down barriers that had previously limited his participation and sense of belonging amongst his peers, school and community.

The impact of this was significant. The James is now close to completing a six-week course with us, focused on mental health and building resilience; an achievement that reflects his growth and commitment. The family have gained regular access to food, addressing a key area of need, and will soon benefit from dedicated 1-1 support from a youth worker starting in July. His engagement has improved greatly, as he now attends a range of activities at the hub where he feels safe, accepted, and able to be himself. This progress has not gone unnoticed; their link worker at school has expressed how proud they are of the James’ journey and the positive changes he has made for himself and his new friends at the Hub.

“I feel immensely proud of the young person James is becoming. Our hub and sessions have become a safe and supportive space for him to grow in confidence and independence. I would love to see him one day create their own activity club based on something they’re passionate about – perhaps even around his love of the weather. and meteorology”

Family GAteway Youth Entrepreneur

The support given to James was provided as part of Resilient Futures, a project co-delivered by Family Gateway, NE Youth, Newcastle United Foundation and Wallsend Boy’s Club, and funded by The National Lotter Community Fund. Find out more about the project here.

If you feel you could benefit from our help, you can find out more about our support services here, or email [email protected]