He struggled to regulate his emotions and follow adult guidance, whether it came from his mother, school staff, or other authority figures.

KC has had professional involvement for several years which created an emotional and mental burden for him. In addition to this, The intermittent presence of his father has further complicated his trust in adults, leaving him wary of forming new relationships. As a result of this, he finds it difficult to trust new people, adults in particular. Due to this experience, he has suffered from trauma which has deeply affected his ability to articulate and be open about his struggles or feel safe in social settings.

Through regular one to one sessions and consistent engagement in the boys group, we have worked to build a trusting relationship with KC. The group provides a safe, supportive environment where young men are encouraged to share their experiences, discuss challenges, and explore positive pathways for growth. This group focuses on helping participants transition from boys to men by fostering open dialogue and self-reflection.

Initially, KC’s trauma made it difficult for him to socialise or navigate social settings. He often experienced conflict with peers and adults due to unresolved trust issues. KC openly expressed his concerns about making friends, meeting new people, and navigating future relationships.

Over time, KC demonstrated notable progress. By reducing his detentions and improving his mental health, he began to engage more meaningfully with the sessions. He regularly reached out to inquire about upcoming topics in the boys group, showing increased enthusiasm and confidence. His appreciation for the opportunities provided was evident, as he often expressed gratitude for the support received during the sessions.

Through our discussions, KC openly reflected on scenarios where he had successfully navigated challenges. Together, we explored the improvements he had made and identified practical strategies for further positive change. This consistent support led to measurable outcomes; A 80% reduction in his detention rates, improved relationships with peers and school staff, a strengthened relationship with his mother and an overall enhancement of his social and interpersonal skills.

Around the time his mum died, he started attending YAA. He grew very close to staff, who he now considers family. The one to one mentoring sessions helped him to come to terms with his bereavement and to channel his emotions in a better way.

“I had a lot of problems with people in school, I was a nuisance in class and had many arguments and fights. This was a build-up of my sadness turning into anger and I struggled with that, holding that in. This affected my learning as well.”

After he was sent to Alternative Provision for being involved in a fight in school, his mentor helped him get back into a mainstream school to continue his education through further mentoring and one to one sessions. He is now undertaking”

After he was sent to Alternative Provision for being involved in a fight in school, his mentor helped him get back into a mainstream school to continue his education through further mentoring and one to one sessions. He is now undertaking his A-levels, continues working part-time, and hopes to go to university.

CC attributes the consistency of the support provided by us to help him focus on studying and stay away from involvement in criminal activities.

“Around that time, I probably would have been involved in really dangerous stuff like gangs and crime. YAA really pushed me away from that.”

FT engaged in the Staying Connected project where he discovered a safe space to communicate without being judged. He used the group sessions to explore his feelings and share his concerns. The one to one sessions helped him smoothly transition into his new school placement. His behaviour greatly improved, he would even call the project lead to inform when he could not attend a session.

Through this project he felt 'heard'. He built some great friendships and now enjoyed being in the presence of his friends and staff. The staff set firm and clear boundaries with FT, always making the time to communicate with him in a way that he understood.

The skills he gained whilst engaging in this project were most certainly transferable. As a result, he became more confident and learnt to manage situations of conflict in school in a calm and collected manner, without crossing boundaries and falling back into the old behaviour.

FT is now looking forward to sitting his GCSEs and exploring the next steps to further his education.

Unfortunately IM had to be taken out of mainstream education in early 2023 due to his in-school support being removed and him consequently struggling to manage himself in the classroom and around the school.

Since then, IM has been home-schooled whilst his family searched for a new school for him to attend.

Staying Connected has provided IM with extra mentoring sessions in this challenging time and in these sessions we have worked on managing emotions, self-esteem and self-belief and putting together a toolbox of strategies and skills to take into his next education provision and help him finish secondary school in a positive and progressive manner.

We have also encouraged IM to stay fit and active during this time and he has incorporated daily drills and fitness programmes into his life.

IM has become a key youth advisor for the Staying Connected programme and has had vital input to adapt the programme to suit the needs of other young people in crisis.

IM will be starting at a new educational provision in due course and we will continue to support him to settle in and continue progressing.

RM was facing behaviour issues in school and was always getting detentions, as well as being at risk of falling in with the “wrong crowd”. During a one-to-one session, he disclosed a personal story of where he had a weapon pulled on him whilst with a particular group of friends.

“How do I make a better reputation for myself and disassociate myself from certain people?”

By building trust and providing constant support, RM has proactively engaged with the project. He has been involved in many of our workshops including self-care, grief and loss and sexual health as well as attending a residential, making a start on his FA Coaching badges and also expressing ideas for other workshops he thinks would be useful for his development.

“I want to have more of a say in my community and gain qualifications.”

Through our regular one-to-one sessions, we’ve been able to provide guidance and signpost RM to services and opportunities that support his development needs. As a result, he was selected to be on the RBKC Youth Forum panel - influencing youth voice for young people in the borough.

As we continue to support RM, we see the potential and ambition that he displays and believe that he will strive to achieve his dreams and ambitions for the future.

“I received better organisation for myself and better self-care and I achieved a better mental health.”