In their words

Lucy started at Dr B’s on 23rd July through a referral from Harrogate Careers having previously attended main stream school, Nidderdale High at Pateley Bridge where she sat some GCSE’s but had fail grades, however her attendance was always good.

Lucy is an only child who lives at home on a remote farm and travels each day by bus. Because of where Lucy lives her opportunities to socialise with a peer group has not developed since leaving school and she has a reticence to try and self induced fear of meeting new people and being involved in new situations. Because of this her self confidence is limited as is her use of social skills. She sometimes comes across as rude because she will not communicate nor will she look at you when speaking. She will visibly shake and appear to be very afraid.

Lucy started work on her Level 1 in Food Preparation and Cooking as part of a large team in a very busy main kitchen. However in a matter of weeks Lucy blossomed enough to gain confidence to be caught “chatting and giggling” amongst the other trainees during breaks and is working now towards transferring these skills to the staff team.

Since being at Dr B’s Lucy has been on various outings e.g. London which involved going on the London Eye, Lambeth Palace doing outdoor catering, and Barnardo’s Champion Conference Day in London.

Lucy has also been involved in a Social Communication Group which has set up at Dr B’s and has had some brilliant success for Lucy and really brought her out of her shell. Lucy has now completed her level one and is now working towards her level 2 in Food preparation and Cooking.

Also Lucy has just started a work placement with a leading supermarket chain in the staff canteen 2 days a week which she seems to be enjoying. This has been a tremendous struggle for Lucy and members of staff to get Lucy actually to go on a work placement due to her fear of new situations and her lack of self confidence.

This is a really positive outcome for Lucy and she is now a different young person to work with and is a really valued member of our working team at Dr B’s.