Borough Life Spring 2006: Natalie’s tale
Here's looking at you kid... Natalie and baby Jason are facing the future with confidence.
April sees the launch of Children & Young People’s Services (CYPS) in Wigan borough. The council is bringing together a host of services for children, young people and parents. A good example of this is Positive Futures, which has delivered Connexions (careers), education welfare and the youth service in Wigan borough since 2002. Borough Life talked to 19 year-old Natalie Howard, from Hindley, and heard how Positive Futures and its ‘multi-agency’ philosophy is helping her fulfil her potential.
Natalie Howard always wanted to be a hairdresser. But when her mum advised against it, Natalie started a health & social care course at St John Rigby College. She didn’t enjoy it and dropped out.
Natalie was soon claiming Job Seekers Allowance and didn’t have a clue what to do with her life. Uncertain and drifting, she met Mark on a summer project and within a short space of time she was pregnant.
Being a mum brought some focus to Natalie’s life, but there were problems with the relationship and she knew the way forward was to leave Mark.
Yet with little money, no further education and nowhere to go with new baby Jason, Natalie’s options were limited.
She felt trapped in a relationship that was going nowhere – until a youth worker from the summer scheme put her in touch with Gillian Gill, teenage pregnancy personal adviser with Positive Futures.
“I got involved in the summer initiative through a youth worker called Paula Richmond,” explains Natalie. “Afterwards, Paula kept in touch. When she became aware of my problems she referred me to Gillian as she felt she could help.”
Despite having very different jobs, Paula and Gillian both work for the same organisation; so Paula understands Gillian’s role and this makes it simple for her to refer Natalie and others in similar situations.
When Positive Futures becomes part of the council’s new children and young people’s service in April, the process should become even easier.
CYPS workers will develop a greater understanding about services available for children and young people, as they will all be housed under the same roof. Gillian Gill already works closely with staff from partner organisations, giving her a sound knowledge of what is out there for teenage parents like Natalie.
Gillian helped Natalie find a place to live at Bamber Court, a dedicated set of flats for young parents in Hindley. Each resident has a key worker, who identifies the issues and then refers young people to other agencies.
Natalie’s key worker put her in touch with the LIFE project, a scheme for young mothers teaching healthy living while building up confidence and self-esteem.
With Gillian’s help, Natalie is now starting to realise her life-long ambition by winning a place on a hairdressing college course and accessing childcare funding.
Gillian even went to the course interview with Natalie to provide moral support.
“I didn’t have a clue about all the opportunities that were available to me because I’m not from a family that knows about funding for childcare, college courses and those sort of things,” admits Natalie.
“There are a lot of things out there for young people to do but finding them can be difficult.”
Cllr Brian Wilson, cabinet member for children’s services, is convinced the partnership approach of Positive Futures and other local youth and children’s agencies will go a long way towards putting young people in touch with the services they need.
He explains: “Unified services for children and young people is a national strategy that will be adopted by councils across the country.
“The idea emerged out of the report into the shocking death of Victoria Climbié. Here in Wigan we will integrate services, keeping young people better informed about what is out there for them, and making sure vulnerable youngsters don’t slip through the net.”