Case Study : Fin
"He’s gained so much confidence and is now able to be in a group, which he struggled with previously. It makes me proud every day to see how far he’s come."
We welcomed Fin on our first ever Supported Internship this year. He’s excelling in assisting with session delivery alongside our staff and is a great example of our progressions pathway. Here’s his story in his own words”
I joined Ocean Youth when I was 15 because I didn’t have much to do. It was fun, I met new people, and it opened my eyes to AP as an option. School wasn’t working for me, and after my GCSEs, I had no idea what to do next. That summer, I tried a six-week trial at Sound Communities, and it was completely different from school. The staff were friendly and funny, and it gave me structure when I really needed it.
I started learning things I actually enjoyed, like guitar. It was challenging, but I loved it. I stayed in AP for the rest of the year, and then I joined Sound Futures over the summer. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, but looking back, it was exactly what I needed.
Now I’m 18 and doing a supported internship at Sound Communities, which includes helping with the Sound Futures course. It’s been a great way to reinforce everything I’ve learned. For the first time, I feel heard, and I have a clear sense of where I’m headed.
I’m so proud of my son, for coming out of his shell and progressing at Sound Communities. He’s gained so much confidence, being able to be in a group, which he struggled with previously. It makes me proud every day to see how far he’s come. He’s happier and settled, which in turn makes me feel great.
Fin's mum, 2024
Fin's empathetic nature and advocacy for inclusivity make him a joy to work with. He supports me to keep my practice relevant and my skills sharp as a youth practitioner, plus, he tolerates my terrible jokes.
Callum, Senior Progressions Lead