“I think it’s hard to put into words how amazing FOCUS is; you have to see for yourself.”
“My mum found out about FOCUS through work and told my dad, who then signed me up. I was absolutely terrified, because I don’t like meeting new people. I was supposed to start a week earlier but I couldn’t do it; I told my dad I didn’t feel well. The next week my dad encouraged me to give it a go, and I ended up loving it. My mum asked how it was afterwards, and I said, ‘I want to go back there!’
“I remember there was a break after that first session. Darren [Director of Projects] messaged my dad explaining the Summer Scheme to him, and I joined that. I loved meeting all these new people and doing fun games and stuff, even though it was a bit scary at first.
“I think the first thing I wanted to achieve at FOCUS was my communication skills. Before I joined FOCUS, I was really bad at communicating with people – I’d hardly even talk to my friends. Because I was meeting new people during the Summer Scheme and in sessions, I realised, ‘I’m going to have to get used to this.’
“FOCUS has affected my life in such a positive way. I have a lot more friends now and feel confident to talk to them. Just from taking part in the sessions and meeting new people, I have been able to open up and be more sociable. It has also been positive in my life at home.
“Before coming to FOCUS I didn’t want to go to college or university. Now I’m looking forward to going to new places. It still scares me, but not enough not to want to try.”
“I’ve most-enjoyed the community projects like Halloween, Christmas and ZenDen – planning and running activities. I remember being part of the march for Leicester Pride, and helped make the FOCUS TV video for it. I also enjoyed the Summer Schemes, as well as attending and running some parts of the Inspire sessions. Oh yeah – and the residential trip away, I loved that! Being away from the city is really relaxing.
“Even in difficult moments, I could speak to the staff and volunteers about having a plan in place for people to spill out into other rooms but still feel involved. It’s great knowing that they are listening to me and helping me with what I need.
“FOCUS has been a valuable experience — it’s my favourite time of the week. I’ve gained so much. I would never have thought I’d be so open and comfortable talking to people. There have been so many people I would never have met without FOCUS. Before coming here, I didn’t want to go to college or university. Now I’m looking forward to going to new places. It still scares me, but not enough not to want to try.
“I would definitely recommend FOCUS to other young people. They should come to a session, just to try it. It’s hard to put into words how amazing FOCUS is; you have to see for yourself.”