Learner: GA from the 2021-2022 Cohort
Programme: Achieve Lifeskills – a course designed to empower and support young people in everyday fundamentals for living life more independently. Learners work towards a Diploma in Independent Living Skills, an employability award as well as English and Maths Functional Skills.
Centre: New Meaning Bucks (High Wycombe)

Gautam came in October directly from school at the age of 15. Academically Gautam was very capable. He had already been working on his Maths and English GCSEs in school but was having difficulties with social communication and struggled with his emotions and self-regulation. It was felt he would benefit from working on his life skills and so was enrolled on the New Meaning Achieve Programme – an independent living course.

When Gautam first began attending, he was very quiet and avoided eye contact. He isolated himself from the rest of the class and chose not to join in with activities or class discussions. He generally preferred to work alone.

By the time Gautam completed his programme in July he had become a valued and fully contributing member of the group. He even developed the confidence to offer opinions and ideas in class discussions. As Gautam’s confidence built he chose to participate in cooking lessons as well as participating in physical activities like rounders, football and walks to the park. It was fantastic when staff discovered that he had been inspired to join and regularly attend a local gym. It’s always a delight to see how transformations tend to snowball – the more Gautam did the more he wanted to do.

By the time Gautam left New Meaning he had achieved an Entry Level 3 Award in Independent Living Life Skills, a Level 2 Award in Employability and had been offered a place at a local further education college to study engineering.