Personal Stories - Tavistock Catalyst

Personal Stories

Getting into Youth Work

I have loved spending time with Catalyst and more importantly I have loved getting alongside young people who are struggling in school. One of my highlights was seeing a young person who hated school come to love school through our support groups. Now that young person is dealing really well with GCSEs and overall has a greater love for school.

[SWYM trainee working with Catalyst]

What we achieved:

A Key Support System

I have been supported by Catalyst now since year 7 and they have helped me so much. I really enjoy the sessions they led and it has helped me deal with stuff in school. [young person in school]

What we achieved:

Building Positive Relationships

The Support Group helped me with my anger towards my friends, family and teachers. The group helped me to deal with this anger in a more helpful way, which meant that I was able to learn well in school and have a better relationship with my friends and family. [Y9 support group student]

What we achieved:

Our Work Makes a Difference

During the support groups, I have loved being able to help a few young people with their self-worth. One of the Year 9 girls used to not be able to see anything positive in her life and she used to think that everyone was judging her physical appearance and her opinions. Since I have been supporting her, she has been able to identify some positive elements of her appearance and she has been able to appreciate her opinions. Moreover, she has seen that not everyone is judging her but that some people really appreciate her. [SWYM trainee supporting a Y9 student]

What we achieved:

‘The Support Group helped me with my anger towards my friends, family and teachers. The group helped me to deal with this anger in a more helpful way, which meant that I was able to learn well in school and have a better relationship with my friends and family.’

'Part of my role is to work with vulnerable students, mostly those in emotional circumstances. To be able to offer the support and kindness of Catalyst Youth Workers is paramount. They are and have maintained several students which I have referred. The outcomes have been encouraging for all parties. I would like to thank them all for their dedication.'

‘I found that I developed in confidence over the year with socialising with other people within the group. This helped me to make more friends in my year.’

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Useful Information

Geoff Orton (Treasurer):
geoff@tavistockcatalyst.com

Trudi Massey (Director of Youth Work):
trudi@tavistockcatalyst.com
07722247859

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