Lynne was referred to Move On’s Housing Education Service by her support worker, who felt that she would benefit from being part of a group. She had been looked after and had a difficult relationship with her family. She was shy, unsure of herself and “just played the playstation all day” before starting the training at Move On. Lynne was clear that she wanted to give something back and help other young people who may have been in a similar situation. The training and support from Move On allowed her to grow in confidence and self worth. She also became sure that she wanted to work with young people but was not confident in going to college as she had not done well at school.
Lynne was a committed, reliable and focused volunteer peer educator and when the Mentoring Service commenced she was asked by staff to train as a volunteer mentor to work 1-1 with young people who want to achieve a goal. She was clear that she was doing this to help other young people, and she felt that she would have benefited from this type of service when she had been leaving care.
Move on assisted her in accessing a course that allowed her to gain experience and placements in working with young people and she completed the course and was successful in application for a Support Assistant post. Lynne has sustained her full time job for over three year’s, completed her SVQ Level 2 in Care and is excelling in all areas of her life.
Move On were recruiting for Development Worker’s for our Inspiring Scotland post’s and an application came in from Lynne. She was short listed for an interview and did very well. She was not successful but was the second candidate in both the formal and informal interview. She is still currently looking for a new challenge working with vulnerable young people.
Lynne's story told in her own words
Lynne - a peer educator’s story
I’m Lynne. I come from a dysfunctional family but, I don't let that hold me back now. I was in care when I was 13-17. I’ve been homeless and I’ve been in supported accommodation. I’m now in my own flat, been here just over 5yrs with ma dog Rocky. I joined Move On in 2002 through a support worker. Through this, I learnt a lot more about maself and ma skills, strengths and weaknesses and ma potential.
I’ve done millions of things while been at Move On. Firstly, I became a peer educator. This is when we would go into residential schools, social, emotional and behavioural difficulties schools and mainstream schools to try and prevent homelessness. This was all done in a fun and interactive way which I really enjoyed doing. It was scary at first but, once u do a couple of workshops ur confidence really goes up and u feel that ur really doing something.
I then went on to become a mentor. In 2004, I worked with 3 young people in the space of 3 years - building up trusting relationships and to set up realistic goals and support them with independent living. I really enjoyed meeting up with them and they would listen to u, not all the time but mostly. It was a good challenge - the only thing I didn’t like was standing in the freezing cold or when it was pouring down with rain and they never turned up.
Move On also helped me to get involved with the Future Outlook Project. This was funded by Access to Industry. I trained to be a peer researcher with another 2 young people. We learnt to make up a questionnaire about Education, Employment, Training and we had to go out to and interview young people in the care system or who have been in the care system on their views were about Education, Employment, Training. We interviewed about 30 young people. Move On also got me involved in the Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum where I’m on the Board of Directors so I am trying to help make the system work for young people in care and leaving care. It’s been long slow process but, we will get there, as soon as we get a lot more young peoples’ voices heard and try and get them involved. I’ve done lots more with Move On but I haven’t got enough time to write it all down.
Sadly, I’m not at Move On any more. I’m now working in a homeless hostel and I’ve been there 3 years. I work with challenging people with all types of backgrounds and I’ve also just finished ma SVQ level 2 in Social Care Yee ha