Matt

The service first came into contact with Matt when he was 14 years old.
Matt was presented to the service manager as a young man who had already been excluded from 1 high school and a managed moved to another school had also failed. He was at roll at his third high school and his future placement at this school appeared bleak.

Matt was experiencing ongoing disputes with local youths, family members and school staff, this all contributed to him feeling of unworthiness making him feel unwanted, isolated and very angry.

The Service manager was invited to a meeting where Senior staff from within the school, local education authority, and Matts mother discussed his behaviour, school/home life and other pertinent matters that they believed was affecting his general emotional health and well being. It became apparent that his current school place was in jeopardy and all staff where at a loss as to who could provide a complimentary and meaningful service.

Matt enrolled and started at Leeds Reach 2009, throughout the programme his attendance was 100% and the effort he applied during the programme is described as excellent, performing well against all odds.

Matt was the eldest of his group and displayed a very mature attitude resolving early signs of conflict between his peers whilst demonstrating upmost respect to peers/staff.

Regular contact with home/school evidenced a remarkable improvement with Matt’s behaviour and attitude. Mum commented on his eagerness to attend and engage with the service. Matt told Leeds Reach staff he was grateful for this opportunity to reflect and was now looking forwards to the future and returning to school full time.  

Matt said during review meetings that it was the staff, their approach the lessons and the positive role models working within Leeds Reach that allowed him to reflect and make serious changes to his behaviour and character.

Upon his phased re-integration to his host school staff included statements like, “remarkable young man with a reformed character”,” school success story”, received excellent comments in his planner and all where generally happy with his attitude and application to work.

Matt completed the Leeds Reach programme and gained a number of certificates which included all 4 sections of Duke of Edinburgh (C grade equivalent) and a Certificate in First aid.
He also received a number of awards for, outstanding personal achievement (4 Real awards connexions, nominated by Leeds Reach), special award for attendance and behaviour on completion of the Leeds Reach programme, Arts Award ASDAN accredited - Level 1 Bronze.  He also participated in the 14-19 education reform DVD for ‘Off Site’ education providers, representing Leeds Reach and other voluntary organisations.

On completion of the programme Matt was successfully reintegrated into school whilst still accessing off site provision in Media, Journalism, Radio and interviewing skills one day per week.

September 09 Matt began his final school year at TLC (Teaching and Learning Centre) gaining D’s in Maths English Art & Design, E in Science and F in Technology.
Although he had hoped for higher grades considering he had missed much of Year 9 and had a turbulent education throughout his Secondary school life this was a massive feat.

Matt currently attends a local college and access’s 2 separate part time courses, Sports/Recreation and Media.

Matt still has regular contact with the service and recently completed a 6 week summer programme in construction to which he received a diploma on completion.
Matt offers his services to the organisation and is involved in our Young People’s panel where he was recently trained in recruitment & interviewing which enabled him to participate in the interview process of a new recruit at Leeds Reach.
Matt has also shown an interest in becoming a peer mentor.

I’m sure all can observe that Matt is a true success story to his family, Leeds Reach and ultimately himself. He’ll allow remain in our hearts and minds and is an ambassador to all those young people who have made bad choices but have managed to turn things around and achieve.