This section will show examples of how breakthrough has made a difference through case studies, quantitative examples and the financial aspects of what Breakthrough can achieve.
Case Studies
JS (Breakthrough Schools)
J was expected to be permanently excluded from year 11 of his school and had a history of both non attendance and violence. The one area he did enjoy was physical education (PE) and in particular football.
Breakthrough worked around this interest and took JS out 2 days a week as an assistant coach into local primary schools where he led sessions for a number of different sports. Over the year J built his confidence, improved relationships at home, took all his GCSE’s getting 5 AC. He also obtained his level 1 FA coaching badge and a place at college on a sports course. Finally he took up voluntary coaching working with adults with learning difficulties every week.
Whilst it would be true to say he did not resolve all his issues J certainly finished his schooling on a high note and went out into the adult world with some positive skills and experiences.
YL (referred through Young carers but also under CAMHS)
Y lived with her father who had an alcohol problem and was not in work. As a result Y got drawn into erratic hours of sleep and poor diet. This led to an attempt on her own life. Working with her mentor Y was able to put her life back together and move forward in a positive direction.
The mentor was the person who supported her into independent living, a new job, a new A-level course and investigating possible university places. The mentor also helped Y deliver body shop parties which both boosted her confidence but also developed new skills and earned some extra cash. Together they go out for meals and attend the gym.
Y is a very bright young lady but she needed some support to help her show her potential. Not everything has been smooth sailing but Y is now very settled and very capable as an adult (she is almost 19). She has an exciting future full of possibility and she and her mentor have developed a friendship that will remain after their official relationship ends.
CG (referred through Young Carers and has a CAF)
C is in year 6 and lives with his mum and two siblings. They moved school in the last year after experiencing problems with neighbours. C’s mum has a phobia of leaving the house and therefore all the children do little outside of the school day. C also has an issue that as the eldest child and a male he feels very protective of his mum.
Over the last year we have worked with C every week building a trusting relationship with a key male. A lot of work has gone into finding C a new interest he can be supported into out of school. As a result we have developed a link with the local tennis club and C now attends every week separate from his mentor.
Things at school seems settled and C now has some time to follow an interest all of his own. We are very aware of the issues around the transition into year 7 and seeing him through this will be a key goal before we look to step away.
‘Changing the world one person at a time’