“When I first started looking into what I wanted to do with the help of the work coaches, I remembered from college that I was good at working with children and that I enjoyed it! The work coaches listened and helped me get into that area and arranged for placements at primary schools for me. I worked as a year one teaching assistant and carried out group work, supported with guided reading and helped the teachers on lunch duty.

I really feel that I have grown up within the work placements and the programme has helped me in learning what I want to become in the future. I don’t know where I’d be without the programme, The Salvation Army saved my life. In college I fell into the wrong crowd and I couldn’t wait to leave but at Strawberry Field I just clicked with the team and made friends so easily, we’re still in touch now and our friendships are getting stronger and stronger.

I’d never heard of The Salvation Army before but I think they’re amazing! Seeing the work that they put in to helping us is fantastic. They really are allowing us to fulfil our dreams!”