Learner Stories 

“The team have helped me through my journey at Futureworks NY and I couldn’t be more grateful. They have encouraged me to try new things and come out of my comfort zone. I have become a more confident person because of Futureworks”. 
~ Grace 
Grace's Story video - This is a powerful video that showcases FutureWorks 
Jack* started with us via a referral from his mum, who had concerns about Jack and his prospects. Jack had finished school but had not done anything since due to poor mental health. Due to trauma in his life, Jack had developed a severe phobia which caused him to not leave his house in fear. With total support from his mum, he visited us to see how we could help him and agreed to start with us.  
 
The only thing Jack agreed to was to try the workshop as he did not think he could cope with any other aspect of the organisation. Of course, we agreed, and Jack started tentatively within the workshop. Working with Ben, his attendance became consistent, and he built up a great working relationship within the workshop team. It became clear that Jack was very adept at woodwork and furniture restoration, he was able to produce some really good work with support from the staff. Jack started to build his confidence and could start seeing a way through his phobia.  
 
Whilst in the workshop, we also researched other mental health support that Jack could access that would help with his issues and we worked closely with him and his mum to provide support and guidance with this. He slowly built up his timetable within the workshop to continue with his confidence building and wellbeing and it was a pleasure to see him building his coping skills and resilience. We were all so please that Jack felt he was ready to look at his career options and left us for a mechanical engineering apprenticeship. 
 
“May I take this opportunity to say a huge thanks for all your hard work and support for Jack. I really appreciate everything you have done for him. He’s a different person to a year ago. It is something that I would absolutely recommend to anybody, young or old, who is looking to get in some form of career whether that’s care, a trade or anything else and that they need support to contact them because they will help you from the day you meet them." 
Jack’s mum. 
~ Jack 
“9 months ago I didn’t know where I was going to go. I didn't know what I was going to do with my life other than hope I got into college until I heard about Futureworks, when I was 14 years old, however I couldn't come then because, well because I was 14. I remember meeting Dave and leaving that meeting saying I didn’t want to go, because at that point I didn’t trust men. 
 
Then when I was 15 I went for another meeting and I realised Dave was a really nice man and that I should trust people more. He and Gin made me feel so welcome and accepted. 
 
Futureworks has helped me in a way I can’t describe. I used to have really bad anxiety, so bad when I was offered my first trip I had a panic attack. But then we went to York and had such a good time, then Hull and was more confident on that trip. Then Newcastle, there were so many people that sounded like Dave. Futureworks also taught me life skills like money, they even helped me get a CV and confidence to go to a job interview. So all in all, 9 months ago I had 0 confidence and anxiety and nothing from school. Now I have less anxiety about going places, going to college and much more confidence and Level 1 functional skills maths and English. 
 
All thanks to Gin, Dave and Michelle. 
 
PS I also know that if I or anyone that comes to Futureworks needed help after we left all we need to do is call or come in so thank you for always being there even when we leave.” 
~ Paige