Ria's Story

Ryan's Story

“When I left school I had no qualifications so I didn’t think I could do anything, I was sleeping through the day and up all night, at first it was good but then I just stopped getting out my bed.

I heard about the On Route team from my pal and then I got a letter through the door from my coach with the number on it asking me to phone someone called Pauline. At the time I didn’t want to phone because I didn’t like talking on phones but then Pauline phoned me and offered to come to my house or meet me somewhere I felt comfortable. I told Pauline that I hated school and stopped going in 3rd year I just didn’t like being treated like a child by teachers and it just wasn’t for me. When I met my coach she just listened to me, it was good as she treated me like an adult and I like knowing there was someone there that I could contact at anytime to help me. I have now got a job as a youth worker.”

Ryan successfully gained a job with the Princes Trust.

Miren's Story

Miren didn’t like school and wasn’t there very much. She started working with the On Route Team when she was 15. Mirren was supported by her coach to begin thinking about her future, Miren was interested in childcare but felt she wasn’t ready to start college or training. Miren’s coach developed a plan of activities that would build confidence and help her believe in herself. Miren was offered a job through a family friend and decided to leave the programme. A few months later Mirren called her coach as the job didn’t work out and asked for help to find her something else. We applied for a place on the TEAM Programme to help her build a routine and gain experience working with others. Mirren has now completed TEAM and moved onto a Childcare course to pursue her ambition to work with children under 5.

“My coach was always there when I needed her.”

Sorley's Story

Sorley was referred to the On Route team by his mum when he was 16. Sorley was interested in music so his coach created a plan of activities around his interest in music. Sorley accepted sessions at the Glasgow Music Studio as he liked learning to play guitar and being in a recording studio, he decided he would like to go to college and was successful in gaining a place at college, however college wasn’t what he expected and didn’t enjoy it and left the course early. Sorley was then undecided what to do next and decided to get back in touch with his coach. He came back and we were able to review his plan and link him in with our aftercare team. He has now changed direction and opted for a career in construction. Sorley gained a place on the Youthbuild training programme and enjoying his new course.

“My coach was able to help me decide where to go next and link my in with the right people.”

Daniel's Story

Daniel was referred to the On Route team by his school as he had stopped going to school and had gained no qualifications. Since leaving school he had picked up some charges in the local community. Initially Daniel declined the offer of support and advised his coach he didn’t want any help, but he agreed to let his coach send him information on courses and also send him a text him every 6 weeks. After 7 months Daniel responded and agreed to meet his coach. Daniel has now secured an apprenticeship in joinery.

Daniel now says it was important to him that he received support and guidance without any pressure. He feels his coach treated him with respect and allowed him to make his own decisions.

“I felt like I was making my own decisions and the plan was made just for me to help me get what I wanted, there was no pressure and nobody telling me what to do, my coach was like a good pal”