Charlie was referred to Apex Borders through the Employability Fund. Through discussions with her Personal Development Mentor, Tracy, Charlie revealed that she had attended Stable Life, a charity that helps young people who have suffered emotional and behavioural issues to learn life skills, using ponies as a form of therapy.
Because she already had experience of working with Stable Life, Tracy encouraged her to continue with this to help her complete her Employability programme. Having experienced challenges in her own life because of a chaotic family background, the team at Stable Life soon recognised that Charlie had real empathy with other youngsters who had been referred to the equine centre. The managers at the centre were impressed with her work, her discretion and the way she related to the young people and so offered her the chance to complete a peer volunteering programme with Stable Life. This has allowed Charlie to continue to volunteer and use her life experiences to help others who suffer from emotional and social issues. Tracy is continuing to support Charlie with this.
Both Tracy and the managers at Stable Life have noted a marked improvement in Charlie’s self-esteem and confidence since she started volunteering. Charlie is now hoping to complete a Rangers course and the life skills that she has developed by volunteering, such as taking responsibility and working with others, will stand her in good stead for this and whatever she chooses to do in the future.