A Journey from Homelessness to Hope with The Amber Foundation

Surrey

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Wooden Spoon Surrey has supported The Amber Foundation that helps young people get back on their feet and live their best life.  Here is a case study about Tyler who has turned his life around with the help of The Amber Foundation.

Tyler, aged 21, found himself homeless after his relationship broke down and he had nowhere else to go. He became street homeless as well as spending some time in a tent trying to stay safe. That’s where Amber came in; Tyler went to Farm Place in Surrey where he gained qualifications in order to move forward into employment.

Since being at Amber, Tyler found his abstinence from drugs has been a major breakthrough for him. He started smoking at the age of 15 and became addicted, he found he was smoking most days until he came to Amber. Tyler found the budgeting workshops really helpful, enabling him to see what priorities are necessary each month. He also found the tenancy workshops beneficial too, as well as the independent living skills so he can support himself when he moves into his own place.

Tyler’s Team Leader supported him throughout his time at Amber and really cared, always being there to help when he needed appointments for self-care and always delivered on the things he needed. Tyler has also gained City & Guilds qualifications in Health & Safety on-site, basic carpentry and painting and decorating, and just recently he passed his CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) where it provides proof that the individual working on construction sites have the appropriate training and qualifications for the job they’re doing. This all stands Tyler in good stead for his next step, as he has a job working in roofing construction. In the future Tyler hopes to start his own business in roofing construction:

“I feel excited to move on, going back to normality and having some money in my pocket. I can’t wait to progress with my career.”

Tyler had this to say about his time at Amber:

“Amber’s made me more confident and I’ve come out of my shell being surrounded by people all the time. Amber really helps with people’s mental health and communication skills. I’ve stopped smoking since coming to Amber and I can now hold a conversation and engage more. The daily maintenance I’ve been doing will make it easier when I move out and live on my own.”