Case Studies
Here we share young people's stories. All the young people that come to Amber have their own – here are a small selection.
Hattie's Story
Hattie, 26, moved on from our Surrey centre to a job in customer service.
"Amber has been a great stop gap and helped me start my life afresh.”
Hattie, now aged 26, has just spent the last six months at Amber’s Surrey centre; Farm Place. Hattie self-referred as she was brought to her knees from a drug addiction; her life had become so unmanageable and chaotic, and Hattie wanted to change.
The routine and structure at Amber were beneficial for Hattie. She also found the on-site counsellor helped with setting boundaries and the recovery group helped with her drug addiction. During her stay Hattie took part in Amber’s peer mentoring programme, where she learnt how to be more compassionate and supportive of others:
“I loved the peer mentoring course. I gained greater understanding of others which is a great skill for me to take forward.”
Hattie found the Team Leaders really encouraging and they helped her with her self-confidence, and how to apply and use her skills. Whilst at Amber, Hattie enjoyed taking part in the activities which were on offer:
“The swimming was relaxing and therapeutic. The activities on offer are great for team building and boosts confidence. Lots of the young people here haven’t had the opportunity to do these types of things before, so they’re great new experiences.”
The next chapter for Hattie is exciting but daunting, Hattie is moving forward into a customer service role in Crawley:
“I’ve valued the support at Amber and how there’s always someone there for me so I’m a bit scared of the next step, but I’m also excited to start a new life in a different area and use the skills I’ve learnt whilst at Amber.”
Hattie’s goal is to start some evening courses once she’s settled into her new job and new area. She’s interested in learning something new and would like to learn more about artificial intelligence.
“I’d like to stay sober and hold down a job for a long period of time. And I’d like to learn as much as I can. Amber has been a great stop gap to get my life on track and given me the ability to stop using so I can start my life afresh.”
Tyler's Story
Tyler, 21, moved on from Amber into roofing construction
“I feel excited to move on, going back to normality and having some money in my pocket"
Tyler became homeless after his relationship broke down and he had nowhere else to go. He was street homeless spending some time in a tent trying to stay safe.
That’s where Amber came in; Tyler came to Farm Place in Surrey where he gained qualifications and confidence enabling him to move forward into employment.
Since being at Amber, Tyler found his abstinence from drugs a major breakthrough. He started smoking at the age of 15 and became addicted. By the time he came to Amber he was smoking daily.
The practical side of Amber’s programme was very useful to Tyler. He found the budgeting workshops really helpful, enabling him to see what priorities are necessary each month. He also found the tenancy workshops beneficial, 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.
While at Amber Tyler gained City & Guilds qualifications in Health & Safety on-site, basic carpentry and painting and decorating. He has also just passed his CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) vital to working on construction sites.
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 the industry:
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.”
Paul's Story
Paul moved on from Amber to a welding job making road sweepers from scratch.
“the Team Leaders do a lot for you. I couldn’t have got anywhere without them."
Before coming to Amber Paul spent two years sleeping rough on the streets of London and Staines. When he arrived at Farm Place, Amber’s Surrey centre, Paul embraced Amber’s programme of support and took part in all the workshops that were on offer focussing on; employability, health and wellbeing, personal development and independent living skills.
Paul is very artistic and creative so really enjoyed the art therapy workshops.
Paul found the Team Leaders welcoming and helpful:
“they do a lot for you. I couldn’t have got anywhere without them. I didn’t have a fixed address which I needed to get a job.”
Paul is moving on into a private tenancy made possible by EveryYouth's Housing Fund. He has also secured a welding job, making road sweepers from scratch. He worked as a welder for a few years before he became homeless but has not been involved at this stage which is more artist and suits Paul’s creative side.
Paul is grateful to have come to Amber:
“Changing area, moving away from stuff like addiction has given me a fresh start and sorted me out. I’d still be using and getting into trouble. Coming from London, there’s amazing scenery at Farm Place. It took me a while to get used to it though. I did everything I needed to do– you get whatever you put in at Amber.”
Looking forward Paul’s dream is to own a houseboat. He loves dogs so he'd like to have two pet dogs.
He'd also really like to travel. Paul has, so far, never been abroad on holiday and specifically would like to visit Spain and the Caribbean.
Paul has really made the best of his three months at Amber:
“I’m happy I’ve got a new job, I’m a bit dubious as I don’t want to go back to where I was. I don’t want to end up there again which I won’t as Amber’s given me a new life.”
Aidan's Story
Aidan is moving on from Amber to a job in Cyber Security at the Ministry of Defence.
"If it wasn't for coming to Amber I wouldn't have made it"
We have just said goodbye to Aidan, 24, from our Wiltshire centre, Bythesea Lodge. Excitingly he is moving on to a full-time job in Cyber Security at The Ministry of Defence following a rigorous interview process.
Before coming to Amber Aidan found himself homeless and unemployed due to problems at home;
“I left home after experiencing abuse from my Stepfather who lived with us at the time. It was awful; I lost all my confidence and motivation. I even ended up having to leave the University when I had just got a place. I just couldn’t cope.”
Aidan went to his local council for help who referred him to Amber.
“When I arrived at Amber, I was very nervous and apprehensive. I quickly realised that I was unprepared for life. I didn’t know how to look after myself properly and relied heavily on guidance from the staff.
After settling in, I started to learn valuable life skills and enjoyed being a part of a community again. I learnt how to talk and communicate with people, how to cook and took part in workshops focussing on things such as council tax and opening a bank account. All of this has helped me to become more confident in myself again and ready for life after Amber.”
After taking part in Amber’s programme of support, Aidan felt ready to start looking for employment again.
“I felt ready to focus on my future. With support from my Team Leader, I decided to apply for a job at the Ministry of Defence. Computer Programming has always been a passion and hobby of mine so I thought I would apply for a job that focussed on research and development and a position came up in cyber security. It was a really long interview process, and the security clearance took over 7 months. At points, I thought the day would never come but finally, I got the job offer. I can’t wait to start, it’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”
Aidan has secured move on accommodation with support from EveryYouth’s Housing Fund which he is grateful for
“The fund has really helped me. I am now looking forward to the next chapter in my life and I feel ready to move on and to live independently.”
Jake's Story
Jake moved on from our Wiltshire centre enrolled onto an access course.
“Amber was the catalyst for me. It enabled me to take control of my life again.
Jake left Amber’s Wiltshire centre in September after securing a place of his own and starting an ‘Access to Further Education’ course at his local college.
At a young age, Jake found himself struggling at school, his mental health deteriorated and he started drinking and taking drugs to cope with the situation he found himself in.
“My home life was tough, I was trapped and in an unsafe environment. Social services were involved but I was never taken into care. My school wasn’t really very supportive and by the age of 14 my mental health had really started to suffer and I started to experience panic attacks.”
By the age of 17, Jake had dropped out of school and had started drinking and taking drugs to try to cope with his increasing anxiety.
“I started drinking heavily and by the time I was 19 and I had moved on to heavier drugs. By the time I was 20 I had started lodging with a friend. This was when things really started to get bad. I would go on huge drinking sessions and would lose 3 days of my life; I would wake up and not know where the time had gone.
Things came to a head when I was hospitalised with acute pancreatitis. I was so frightened and I knew I had to make a change before it was too late. I told my housemate that I didn’t want to drink anymore and that’s when I lost my home.”
After being discharged from hospital, Jake found himself homeless. He was unable to stay with family or friends and decided to go to the council for help.
“The council said I should make a self-referral to Amber and within a few days I was moving in. I didn’t know what to expect and it took a while for me to settle in. For the first week or two I just stayed in my room. I think I was so traumatised by what had happened to me, I honestly didn’t think I would survive it all.
For me, the abstinence was major. Not being able to drink or take drugs meant that I got into a routine, I felt settled and more stable. I engaged in Amber’s programme of support, taking part in workshops and had a number of counselling sessions. If it hadn’t of been for the support of Amber, I would never of thought about college or university.
I have now started an Access course and next year I hope to go to university to study Anthropology. Amber was the catalyst for me. It enabled me to take control of my life again.”
Abbey's Story
Abbey, 23, moved on from Ashley Court, our centre in Devon, just before Christmas 2022.
She now has a job in care and a flat near her workplace.
Abbey came to Amber because she was fleeing an abusive relationship.
“I didn’t feel like I had other options and I was in fear of my life.”
A friend suggested Abbey reach out to Amber for somewhere to stay so she looked it up and referred herself.
“I was so nervous at the start. I did not think I would end up staying longer than a week. But I felt so safe there and everyone was so supportive.”
Abbey spent 6 months at Ashley Court and in that time attended a range of workshops and sessions which she found really helpful.
“I feel I had a lot to improve on. The sessions were really relatable.”
While at Amber Abbey decided she wanted to work in the care industry. Since moving on, she has secured a job in a care home and has a flat of her own nearby.
Abbey is now looking to the future with hope.
“Amber saved my life – it genuinely did. I think I’d be dead if it wasn’t for this place. Moving on does feel like a big achievement though and I am proud of myself but I wouldn’t have done it without the positivity of everyone at Amber. I want to say the biggest thank you to them for supporting me and helping me get through everything I have! I will always cherish my time at Amber and be grateful for the amazing people I met.”