Read all about JT’s story and how Level Up Gosport Supported them
J has mild learning difficulties and experienced junior school as difficult, due to bullying, particularly from one person who J felt saw himself as better than everyone else. J feels that he did not receive any support from the school with this and that it resulted in him experiencing anxiety.
J explained that, unfortunately, the bullying continued throughout secondary school up until year 10 and year 11 when he received support from 1 teacher who helped him. J would receive support from an LSA to sit inside during lunch times, as he was too worried to go outside with the other students. On one occasion he was pushed over a bar by another student which resulted in his arm being broken.
J said he had a few friends during school but they were not really close. He then went on to college where he was okay for the first 2 years and feels like he did well, but on the third year he was encouraged to do a course he did not want to do, as he wanted to do IT.
J managed to get the odd job, but they were mostly seasonal jobs which were temporary. On occasion he felt as though he was subject to mistreatment as he was not able to experience parts of the job, he wanted to do, such as working on the tills or prepping food and instead was only ever told to clean.
Challenges
Outcomes
J now, independently volunteers at Barnardo’s Charity Shop and really enjoys doing so, which has increased his confidence within the work place a lot.
J has taken part in various different events while he has been with the charity which has helped his confidence so much, and because of this, he puts himself forward for more things too, including speaking to strangers and explaining everything that Level Up Gosport has to offer.
J’s social skills have improved within the charity and he even supports some of our other young people too. During their friendship he has encouraged one of our young people to get out more and increase her confidence as well.
Conclusion
Earlier this year, J was made a team leader and mentor within Level Up Gosport and this is because of the amount of dedication and effort he shows during events, meetings and with others in the group.
J’s confidence continues to improve and he often pushes himself out of his comfort zone like when he assisted with a Level Up Gosport market stall in town, whereby he spoke to someone he did not know, explained about the charity and what we do. J is incredibly helpful and although he himself has had some set backs recently with his mental health, he still turns up to events, for meetings and gets involved within the group.
J sets a great example for the other young people of the group; he is such a kind individual, that everyone in the groups gets along with him. He struggles to see his full potential, especially recently which has been challenging, but it is important to us that we remind him.
This year he received a ‘Volunteer of the Year Award’ purely for the support, dedication and loyalty he has shown the group while he has been involved and we make sure he knows just how much of an incredible achievement this is.
Testimonials From Past Volunteers
“I’m hugely thankful to Level Up Gosport. I definitely wouldn’t have won The Kings Award for
Voluntary Service if it were not for my involvement in Level Up Gosport.”
“I got an award for being a Volunteer…I really enjoy being a member of Level Up Gosport because all the young people are my own age and they don’t judge me. Whilst being a member, I have made friends and it has made me more confident with people my own age.”
“I have only been a volunteer with Level Up Gosport for a short while, but I absolutely love it
and will keep doing this until I can’t do it anymore.”
“Everyone is really friendly and it’s a great, wonderful atmosphere to be around. I don’t think I would
have anywhere near as much confidence if I hadn’t joined, which in turn helped me heavily in getting
a job, in my opinion.”
“I think the volunteering I did with Level Up Gosport has helped me to get the job I have always
wanted.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed each different project…and was also introduced to aspects of the local
community I was not aware of before. Being part of Level Up Gosport makes me think that I am contributing to something important and that we can really make a difference to the diverse
community of Gosport.”
“I joined because I had a breakdown at work with stress and depression…I was at rock bottom and needed something to help me. Level Up Gosport has made me the woman I am today…strong, confident and independent. I can make decisions by myself, something I didn’t thing was possible but Level Up Gosport helped me to achieve this.”
“When I spoke about my gambling addiction, I was very emotional about it. I normally don’t like to share with other people. It took a lot of courage to open up and just talk about it and the result of it was that I felt the stress fall off my shoulders, knowing that I was not alone in this. During my time, I was encouraged to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Level 2 Food Hygiene, Level 3 First Aid, Manual Handling and CV writing. Level Up Gosport also wrote references which aided in me securing employment.”
“I have Cerebral Palsy, along with mild learning difficulties, but this has never caused any problems and neither have I been treated differently by staff or other youth volunteers. I have achieved a lot with my time with the charity. When I was with the group, they made me feel very welcome, were supportive and interactive with me. They were a lovely group and it was the best 4 years of my life.”
