Just say yes

Kyle had just been moved to Northampton and under his licence agreement he was unable to return to his family or the area he had previously lived. He had never even been to Northampton before, he was scared, alone and depressed. He had no clue about the local services were available to him and felt lost in it all.

Kyle has a learning disability and was finding it difficult to organise his daily life and was lacking in confidence. Every thought and every voice told him that his life wasn't going to get better, that there was no hope, that he would always be stuck and that he really didn't have anything to offer the world. Then he was referred to Michelle.

Michelle sat down with Kyle during their initial meeting and simply had a conversation with him. She asked what he wanted from life, what he was good at and what he enjoyed doing. She focused on his strengths and this was exactly what Kyle needed.

It’s too easy to look at the negatives in someone’s life and traditionally support services and other similar agencies have tried to ‘fix’ the so-called problems that people have. But with the shift in funding available and cuts in various services a new approach is needed to give people like Kyle a little belief in themselves.

Michelle walked through a process with Kyle, identifying what he could do, not what he couldn't do, and that became the support plan.

Kyle wasn’t used to this approach and found it a little overwhelming at first. Most people get worried by change and that goes for positive change too - like saying ‘yes’ to new things.

But Kyle knew that by embracing this approach new opportunities could open up for him. So he started saying ‘yes’ - and kept on saying it.

Kyle said 'YES' to:

Attending various local social activities.

Setting up a weekly routine of shopping and housekeeping.

Setting up and managing his household bills.

Dealing with his debt.

Applying for various jobs.

After spending a little time with Michelle, Kyle had created a simple list of goals.

Previously he couldn’t see a future for himself but by focusing on the positives and on what he can do, Kyle had achievable goals to aim for and a belief that his life will get better.  

At the end of our four months with Kyle, he has set up and is managing his household bills and has repayment plans in place to deal with his debt. He’s no longer scared or lonely - he goes out regularly to various local social groups and he has gained a full-time, permanent, salaried job. Not bad for someone who couldn’t see a future for himself just a few months earlier.

If you need, or just want a better a future, here are three things to remember:

• We all have something truly great to contribute. Whether that's to your family, your community, or society as a whole – we all have talents.

• Know your goals and plan the steps needed to take you toward a better future – make a list. 

• Keep saying yes. Don't give up - just keep going and be committed to your plan.