Yusuf’s journey: A fresh start with Staying Close
At 20, Yusuf had been part of our Staying Close service for over a year, working with Chantelle Lavender, our Staying Close Care Leaver Coordinator. During that time, he built a strong relationship with her and started to make real progress with his goals.
When he started, things were tough. He was living in conditions that made him feel unsafe, surrounded by ongoing antisocial behaviour and domestic abuse incidents.
He’d also missed out on one of our gas engineering courses and hadn’t been attending college – his future felt uncertain.
That’s when our teams stepped in.
Chantelle helped him secure Band One housing priority, and he registered with Manchester Move to find a safer home. His Personal Adviser and the police supported him after an assault, and Careers Connect, a charity offering personalised careers support and professional training, helped him get back on track with work and training. He also joined a local boxing group, giving him something positive to focus on.
Now?
- He’s living in a clean, decorated flat.
- He’s managing his money well, with no rent arrears.
- He’s back on track with career planning and still has a support network around him.
- And he knows he can return to Staying Close if he needs a hand.
Yusuf shared: “Chantelle’s always been there for me, no matter the time of day. She helped me with appointments, college, and even when I had problems with rent and the Job Centre. She’s calm, kind and really listens. Thanks to her support, I feel more confident and motivated to move forward.”
Staying Close is here for care leavers like Yusuf who need a bit of extra support as they move into independence.
To be referred to the Staying Close service, you can speak to your social worker or personal advisor, and they can get in touch with us.
For any questions or referrals, please contact Chantelle Lavender, Staying Close Care Leaver Coordinator, via email: chantelle.lavender@wchg.org.uk
