After facing addiction and homelessness, Kenny reflects how he found stability through EveryYouth’s Employed programme:
I’m Kenny and I am 20 years old. After facing some tough challenges with addiction, I found myself in temporary accommodation with a limited support network.
Fortunately, my local council referred me to my local EveryYouth charity, the Amber Foundation, and that’s when everything started to change for the better. I arrived at their supported housing in Kent, called Downsview, 16 months ago to begin a new chapter in my life.
With support from EveryYouth, I’ve successfully secured full-time employment as a security officer and I’m living independently in a house share.
My time at Amber has really helped me battle my addiction and the staff have been really helpful and guided me to become a better version of myself.
The routine, safety and support all helped me grow as a person. Participating in the EveryYouth Employed programme was an important part of my journey. I’m now well-mannered, well-spoken, self-motivated and most importantly, have a job and a structure to my life.
I embraced every activity at Amber, and each one has contributed to my personal growth, helping to build my confidence and enjoy new opportunities.
Some of my favourite experiences were bowling, visiting Thorpe Park, kayaking, and ice staking. I’d never done an assault course on water before but St Andrews Lakes was the best fun!
Looking ahead, I feel optimistic about my future. I’m committed to growing in my role as a security officer and hoping to save for my first holiday abroad.
My achievements, like completing my SIA course and securing my job, are milestones I’m incredibly proud of. Without the support of Amber and the EveryYouth programmes, I’d likely still be homeless, battling mental health issues, and caught in addiction. The support has helped me turn my life around and become someone I’m proud of.
Find out more about EveryYouth programmes to help more young people like Kenny.
