THE YOUNG PERSON.

J is a 20-year-old woman living in South East London with her 4 year old daughter. As a young care leaver, J sometimes found it difficult to navigate positive life choices and build her skillset as a parent and employee. Over the past 2 years, SCY has been supporting J to feel empowered, safe, and secure – and she’s really grateful for the services we’ve been able to provide.

OUR SUPPORT.

J attended numerous support sessions with our counsellor, who also offered help with housing and social services meetings. During the lockdowns, Zoom meetings were set up to reduce isolation and enhance wellbeing amongst the young parents SCY supports. J was an active participant. One of the things J said has been a huge help is having other young parents to connect with during these difficult times.

She also found it a massive relief to have a delivery of weekly food parcels when running low on funds and food – just one of the other practical ways we support our young people and their families.

J’s story illustrates how wraparound help – rather than a more narrow offering – is vital for a young person’s development and progression.

THE IMPACT.

One of the main things J has found refreshing is the support of SCY workers who’ve been young parents themselves; they’ve shared ideas and offered support without pressure, and without judgement. J has really appreciated this, and has been inspired to become more goal-oriented and focused on a positive future.

She knows that whenever her personal life feels a bit unsettled, SCY will be there to support, to encourage, and to listen.

We couldn’t be more proud of her progress: J has plans to develop her own cleaning business, something she’s actively working towards to make a better life for herself and her daughter.

THE YOUNG PERSON.

D was an 8-year-old girl who struggled to manage and express her feelings, resulting in angry and anxious meltdowns at home. She was referred by the family’s Early Help Worker who was supporting the family (D’s older sister had previously been at risk of criminal exploitation, and had gone missing on different occasions). She was able to find her voice and make sense of the experience.

OUR SUPPORT.

We provided a course of sessions for D with our play therapist, who she engaged well with. Using art, sand and symbolic play activities she explored the themes of loss, fear and reconnection.

As her trust grew with the therapist, she began to verbally explore a past traumatic separation from her mother and the fears and lasting impact it had on her.

THE IMPACT.

The play therapy sessions appeared to give D the opportunity to make sense of the separation she had experienced from her mother and her fears around it - and also to speak up and find her voice.

At the end of the play therapy intervention, D’s mother reported that D was calmer and happier at home. She was more able to express her feelings and less overwhelmed by them; the meltdowns had stopped and the relationship between D and her mother had strengthened.

Seeing families come together through difficult times and young people’s mental health improve is one of the best outcomes we could wish for.

THE YOUNG PERSON.

C was an 11-year-old boy who was a child victim of family conflict and separation. He was referred to our 6 week Creative Release Group in 2021 by his social worker.

OUR SUPPORT.

C engaged well, attending all sessions with an open mind. Group sessions included developing self-regulation strategies, self-soothing, identification of emotions, emotional cues and communication methods. Giving young people the tools to cope with their mental health is crucial to their progress, and it’s something we work on a lot with our clients.

THE IMPACT.

The games and group dynamic improved the self-esteem and confidence of all the young people. It was rewarding to see how far C came in the process: he took on a leadership role in the group, modelling emotional awareness, masculine sensitivity and empathy.

C told us “I learned how to do yoga and take out my anger on objects like [plastic] bottles, football, a ball, [scrunched up] paper balls. I learned how to control my anger when people get under my skin or annoy me.”

After completing the group sessions, C received a scholarship to a secondary school, as well as a Jack Petchey award for his support of other young victims of domestic violence.

A PARENT’S PERSPECTIVE.

“SCY has helped my family massively in the short time we’ve been using their services.

They managed to get my son into a school placement within 6 weeks of using their services after we’ve been trying to get him a suitable placement for the past year. They provided an excellent support service to myself and a counselling service for my son.

The staff at SCY are absolutely amazing and lovely human beings - really an asset to the world: supportive, reliable, kind, professional, relatable, down to earth, and simply a godsend.

I would highly recommend this charity/service to anybody: they are an asset to Lambeth and I encourage them to keep up the great work!”