Hands-on activities boost confidence

I came to Ideal for All because of Paula (Employment support lead) and since then I’ve been in sessions for gardening, building up my skills and confidence and socialising. It was really quiet having left college and not going to school, I felt like I didn’t have anywhere to be. I helped my mom and that, but I wanted to do my own thing too. I haven’t got a job or anything so I just wanted somewhere local I can help out you know? I guess I just felt a bit lost. I did like being at home but when I wasn’t busy it was hard, you can only play so much FIFA or help with shopping. I wanted to get out the house and do new things, go to new places or talk with some new people. I like to keep busy really and help people out and I wanted to try new things.

I like cooking at home because I cook with my mom but I don’t do the gardening as I’m not sure how I can help or what I’m allowed to do or touch. My mom and dad both thought it would be good for me and I know it is. I like what we do and it gets me out the house meeting new people. I like cooking and gardening and wanted to get more into it so the men’s gardening group was a big thing for me. With the cooking I can learn new recipes and I can show my mom and help her out more. Plus, you know stuff like that can lead to jobs down the line so it’s a good idea to learn now and get ahead. Ideal for All know my conditions so they know how to help when I struggle or get overwhelmed with stuff. I just needed space to do things at my own pace and that’s what I get here every time. And I always leave here learning something new. Oh, there’s trips too! We went to Weston Super-Mare so we go on trips which is good, there’s always something on the go.

Since joining the project my confidence has had a big boost. I walk here alone when I used to get dropped off. I talk to everyone because we’re all mates and feel welcome – I can talk to the staff too and they support me. It’s helped me to get out of bed Tuesday morning – I look forward to Tuesdays and I’ve got a beginning of a routine. I’m slowly getting into a bigger schedule but right now I just wanna take it easy and enjoy the sessions. It’s given me a safe space and I can grow here and learn. It’s a nice space and I’ve helped it you know. We’ve put veg in the ground we’ve grown and it’s made me feel miles better. With the veg growing it’s good to use the veg and stuff in sessions because we eat what we’re growing. And I get to take it home too and show to my mom what we’ve done, or what I’ve helped do.

I’ll definitely keep coming here. I don’t wanna change that part of my routine any time soon. I think I’ll build up my skills and confidence more and maybe make a CV, just to get all my experience on paper. Its early days for me but where I am on my journey I do really feel happy.”