A very special story from one of our Yep! participants, whose life has made a huge turn around for the better.
Alex found out about Yep! through his Social Prescriber and joined the project in August this year.
He faced multiple barriers including transport and his mental health, suffering from depression and social anxiety.
His goals were to find employment (ideally an apprenticeship) and to develop his confidence and motivation.
Building confidence and skills
Alex engaged in 1:1 support and some online group sessions, he built a great relationship with his mentor Jon and they explored opportunities, produced a good CV, covered interview preparation and employers expectations.
They even supported Alex onto an online driving theory course.
His confidence developed well and he felt motivated.
They are also hoping to secure Alex’s CBT licence so he can get a moped as he lives in a remote location and that is a significant barrier.
Alex has passed his driving theory test, developed in confidence and self-belief, and has secured an administrator apprenticeship role!
In his own words: Alex tells us about his experience of the Yep! Programme
Hi, I’m Alex, and through the support of YEP! (Youth Engagement Project) I’m now employed and will be starting work soon.
Alex, on his experience of the YEP! Programme
A little about me and the struggles I had before I got involved with YEP!: Before I got referred to YEP! by my social prescriber, I had little to no faith in myself gaining employment in the current year.
I had just finished college where I hated attending mindless lessons with monotonously boring two-hour bus journeys.
And in the short 2 months of knowing Jon, who helped me improve my confidence and CV, we would talk about life, hobbies, and in my specific interest; politics and what’s happening in the wider world outside of beautiful Kernow (Cornwall).
During our fortnightly sessions, we would discuss my steps to job searching and gaining employment.
Jon has helped me start to improve my transport issue, now that I’ve passed my driving theory test after the 4th attempt, and is getting me involved with doing my CBT motorcycle licence.
Overall, meeting Jon and getting involved with YEP! was a great decision as when I first met Jon I used to be very negative and self-defeating.
Now I am more confident in myself and what I can do.
The YEP! programme is a unique integrated and collaborative project aimed at young people aged 16-24, who live in Cornwall and are not in employment, education or training (NEET)
