I started with the first group on the EYC Project when I was 16-17 years old. I was a student at Carshalton Athletic Football Academy where I was studying and playing football full time. Carshalton was my very first experience within a school/college setting having been home educated by my parents all through primary and secondary school, so the schedule and workload was very intimidating and was something I struggled with a lot at the beginning along with my own life challenges. Ryan started teaching at the academy half way through my first year at Carshalton and was an instant positive impact on myself and all the other students. Alongside teaching, Ryan would have mentoring sessions with us in groups and 1:1 and would help us with work and speak about general life or our relationships and ultimately created really strong bonds with everyone.

During my time at Carshalton Athletic collaborated with the EYC Project and the Charity Let Me Know to deliver LMKs 10 signs workshop about healthy and unhealthy relationships. It was the best workshop I’d ever had, The space was safe and inclusive and made sure we all had the space to open up and be vulnerable. Even at Carshalton I’d always felt a little bit left out and was never one to open up about my feelings or relationships and I would bottle it all up and try to forget, but in that workshop Ryan showed me and all the other students how much easier life can be when we open up and talk to people. 

Towards the end of my second and last year at Carshalton, the EYC Project referred me to apply to be part of the Youth Advisory Board program at LMK. When I was successful in my application onto the programme, I was finding it difficult opening up and engaging in sessions and meetings as this was my first experience of being in a professional environment. I was unsure of whether I would last the full 2-3 years on the program and over the summer thought about leaving. However, I did end up staying and have now finished my 3 years on the program, but without guidance from Ryan through the EYC Project it would not have been so easy. They  were so supportive and always there even when I did not directly ask for support but secretly needed it. I still have frequent check ins with Ryan about everyday life and work etc. I am now applying to become a leader at LMK just like Ryan and now work in a Primary School with young people with additional needs. I did have the opportunity to go to university after getting unconditional offers on all of my choices but knew what I wanted to do because there had been a lot of conversation with Ryan and other important people in my life about my next steps. 

 

Although our contact time is not as frequent now, I know that I can always rely on the EYC Project to support me when I need support with anything in life while using the skills and tools they have supported and equipped me with over the past 5 years.