Richard's Story
MacIntyre No Limits™ provides community-based bespoke education packages to young people aged 16-24, working in partnership with local Further Education colleges. Acting as a bridging service between school and adulthood, No Limits aims to improve the independence skills of the young people we work with, regardless of their starting point. We set and work towards aspirational goals based on students’ Education and Health Care Plans, taking into account their individual needs and destinations.
For context, Richard (not his real name) joined MacIntyre No Limits™ when he was 16, having not received any formal education. To help Richard settle into his new college environment, he first started on a phased basis until he was ready to come in. Richard wanted to share his experience of his time at No Limits:
When I was 16 years old, I joined MacIntyre and I was a very different person to who I am now. I was nervous, shy, frightened, unmotivated and not wanting to communicate with anybody and I would not come out of the back room of the life skills building.
Although it was not the fault of the people working there, I was not progressing. I remained an introverted person that would not communicate with anybody.
Over the course of a couple of months several people tried to help me but could not and I felt like it was all a waste of time.
Richard wasn’t interested in making friends nor engaging with the team, and would spend long periods sitting by himself without talking, ultimately leading to Richard’s mum leaving her work to support him at home full-time.
Thankfully my mother kept making me go to every session, then one day Adam, (a Community Teaching Facilitator at MacIntyre), walked in. I was not happy about it because he was talking to me and was determined to get me out of that room. Although I showed no enthusiasm, he kept coming back every session and was annoyingly happy and chatty!!
MacIntyre’s teams had not found a way through with Richard– until a breakthrough came when it was discovered that Richard liked history and spent hours on YouTube looking at history documentaries.
Eventually, I started to talk back. In our first sessions he made sure I was not under pressure with set work, instead we went walking and talking, which was very new for me as I only really talked with my mum at that time. We progressed from the college grounds to going into town where Adam encouraged me to use my budget and communicate with store workers – again very new.
Although I did not like him at first, over time my barriers came down. I had the feeling that he was genuinely interested in what I had to say. He has a no-nonsense approach which I grew to appreciate.
Building on Richard’s interest, the team started developing the relationship which helped him unlock his EHCP targets through his love of history. The first year with No Limits was working specifically on developing communication skills, then focused on developing employability skills. We were able to hit five of Richard’s targets in a day, because we turned it into something fun. Richard wanted to prove people were wrong about him, and felt confident to do so.
Throughout the years that I was with MacIntyre, my life has changed so much. I have learnt how to socialise even when I don’t want to and I am much more confident in myself and my own abilities. I am no longer shy and unable to find motivation. I have become a much more capable individual, having even done work placements that Adam, helped me put in place. I believe I became happier in myself as well.
I was eventually able to complete a college course with the ongoing support of the MacIntyre team and I got 10 distinctions for my work. I then completed a Prince’s Trust course and am now looking to seek employment. I do not believe I would have been able to achieve any of this without MacIntyre and I am forever grateful.
Richard’s mum has also seen the difference and change in him. He started cooking and taking on more responsibility around the house. Richard’s confidence and independence has meant Richard’s mum has also been able to return to work, which, before MacIntyre, she didn’t think was possible.
As for Richard? He now socialises and plays video games with his friends, and also enjoys watching TV with his mum, both of which hadn’t previously been possible. Richard’s transformation is a real success story, and he should be incredibly proud of himself.
