iPeople Magazine - Spring issue 2019

Volume 2.

ipeople

The Risk Issue Spring 2019

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word from the

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1625ip CEO, Dom Wood In the world of housing and support risk is often talked about in a negative context – what risk do you pose to others, to staff, to yourself. ‘That’s risky you shouldn’t do that’... etc. It is true there are some risks that really shouldn’t be done but actually many risks are good, helping the brain develop and young people become independent and developing a sense of identity.

Positive risk taking can be getting involved in team sports, volunteer activities, making new friends, applying for jobs or courses that will stretch you. Even living on your own and making it work. Some of my best experiences over the years have been sports including some extreme sports. I have bungy jumped with the extreme sports club and regularly jumped from a quarry into the water in Wales – both were safe but didn’t feel so – who would think jumping out of a crane over a harbour with a cord attached to your ankle a good thing to do – but wow it was worth it!

Taking positive risks looks different for everyone. I see the huge benefits for young people starting a new course, a new job or joining our Youth Board. I work with young people because I have always loved the energy and excitement in young people and know that if that energy is put in the right direction, they can achieve whatever they want.

Don’t waste it – take some positive risks and grow who you are.

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young ambition It can be tricky to know what you want to do with your life, and it can feel very overwhelming when you start to try.

Sometimes, you won’t know what you like, or don’t like, until you take a (calculated!) risk and give something a go.

I’ve worked in stationery shops, and shoe shops. As a (pretty decent) cleaner, a (fairly rubbish) waitress, and a (reasonable) chambermaid. I’ve worked in charities, galleries, a university and a factory. I’ve worked with young people, older people and everyone in-between. I’ll be honest, not every moment was sunshine and rainbows. There’s been times where I wasn’t sure I was doing the right thing, and times when I had to decide I wasn’t, and leave for something better.

There’s been plenty of times when I’ve needed support of people around me to be able to work and study. This said, I’ve worked hard and I’ve made friends along the way, many of whom I’m still in touch with now. The things I’ve learnt have helped me figure out what I do enjoy. Importantly, all these jobs, and studying that I’ve done alongside them, have helped me to be more independent.

If you feel ready to think about what you want for your future, we at 1625ip can help! Our Young Ambition project was set up to try new ways to support you to find education, training and/or employment that are a good fit for you. We’re working on finding you lots of lovely mentors, from all sorts of organisations and businesses, who will work one to one with young people. We’re also finding lots of exciting work experience and training opportunities. Let us know if you’d like one!

One final note. If you don’t feel ready, and the thought of working or studying doesn’t feel practical or manageable right now, still speak up. There may well be ways we at 1625ip can make it feel more so, with the right support.

If you want to find out more about Young Ambition, just drop me a message at 07772445404 or ask your Support Worker for more information.

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taking risks: career

By Sarah Hickie, Mentoring Project Worker

28/03/2019 09:16:46

taking risks: identity

becoming me 1625ip Young Person

*JOE: Coming out was a risk.

It was hard because when I first started coming out in 2016 people who I thought were friends turned and called me names like ‘pedo’ and sent me death threats. That pushed me back into the closet until last year.

FRAN: That’s incredibly hard. Did that make you scared that they were going to do something?

JOE: Yes, it was taken to court, but they were found ‘not guilty’.

FRAN: Wow, I bet that didn’t help make you feel safe to say, “hey, this is who I am”?

JOE: No, but drama sessions actually helped a lot. And being with my ex, she helped me realise that I wasn’t a girl, but identified as a guy.

Well I knew I was when I was younger but when I told my mum it caused a massive argument.

We’re getting along a lot better now. It was a bit of a shock for her, especially because her partner had just come out as trans as well.

FRAN: What did you say to those around you to help them understand?

JOE: I said it on Facebook to my family. Saying, “This is me, I’m still the same person, I know it’s going to take a while to get used to, but I’d appreciate it if you would try and call me by this new name, and I hope you will one day get used to it. I said that I know everyone makes mistakes.

FRAN: That’s something I so admire about you, you know I’ve made mistakes, calling you the wrong name or pronoun, but you’ve always been so kind, you haven’t judged me for messing up. You’ve just gently reminded me. So even though there have been some people who have hated against you, would you say remaining patient is key?

JOE: Yeh, remaining patient has been the best thing I’ve done! Sometimes it’s an everyday thing. The other day I was driven out of a male’s toilet by teenage boys. I feel tired every day having to fight for who I am. But I get through that knowing that I will be free from this prison one day. It gives me energy knowing that when I’m speaking up it helps others.

JOE: I will be free to be me - it is a struggle but at the end of the tunnel there is light. People will understand me better. People know me now which means I can belong, I don’t have to put a wall up anymore, so people can now see the real me. It means I have better relationships.

My advice to others is simply to be yourself, take your time and when you decide to come out, commit to it, like jumping in a swimming pool fully clothed!

I am me, no one can defeat me anymore.

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*Joe is a fake name used for anonymity

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When ‘taking a risk’, is a risk you shouldn’t take…

self care We really want people to embrace risk in a positive and healthy way but there are days when taking a risk is a bit too risky.

When you step out of your comfort zone it’s important you need to feel resilient enough.

What does resilience mean? It is described as an ability to easily return to your original form, or bounce back from difficulty - like when you have been feeling ill or being depressed. You might have a sense of simply feeling too overwhelmed and adding something new into the mix might leave you feeling burnt out.

It’s difficult to say no to exciting things, especially when social media, websites and magazines are surrounding you with images of young people who have managed (somehow) to become famous, look amazing, earn lots of money, make a business… the list goes on. What they don’t tell you, is that it takes time. You do have time on your side and taking things one step at a time is the best way to build yourself up.

You should ask yourself, what does success look like for you? It might be building quality friendships, having a family of your own one day, building your own carpentry business or becoming a swimming instructor, or maybe simply to be happy.

If you feel that you need some support and need a breather, a fantastic way to get yourself through this time can be to have a mentor. A mentor can help you get some perspective, hope, fun and help you make a plan.

Interested?

Speak to your support worker to get connect with our Volunteer Coordinator, Puegee Lam. Or you can email volunteering@1625ip.co.uk and request a mentor!

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Some of our chosen songs:

SPRINGTIME Playlist

Giving it all Bondax September Song JP Cooper Sunny Duet Noname Water Baby Tom Misch

tell us what you think What do you think about the magazine?

If you have feedback you could be with a chance to...

win a £10 prize!

Tell us: Your favourite parts What you didn’t like If you want to contribute Simply email: comms@1625ip.co.uk

Rise Jonas Blue Find the playlist HERE: buff.ly/2JADnCk

music high st culture

Theatre review: hercules, Bristol old vic, january Step into the wonderful world of Hercules, where Gods are power hungry, greedy business owners or controlling women in 80s power suits.

Imagine Donald Trump and you have a pretty good idea. The mortals are trying to find their way in world where no one is quite sure what gender roles are or what equality means.

Hercules is born into a difficult story. He has two different families, his step mum hates him, his strength is misunderstood as violent, he hurts those closest to him by mistake and others are too scared to speak to him. When he struggles with his mental health, he finds a friendship to be a lifeline, “These arms aren’t as big as yours but when it’s hard, these arms will hold you up. I’m willing you to live.” He finds that being alone doesn’t work in the long term and that’s important to let people in even if you have been hurt before. A lesson I’m sure we could all learn.

Amazingly, the star of the show is someone who has used 1625ip to get back on their feet. They had a tough time but with a lot of hard work and trust, they are stepping out and have a potentially promising career in acting.

They had to risk stepping back out in the world but with a drama school in London wanting to train this young person in acting, the pay off has definitely been worth it. What do you think you could do?

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1625ip activities Youth Board, once a month, contact Ria – come along, tell us what you think and make something happen Skills Kitchen, 4.30pm, Monday, Southwold House – Who’s cooking good looking? Wow your friends with some incredible cooking Arts and Crafts, 2pm, Thursday, St Georges House – Be a crafty fox with our very own Sophia, you never know you might have some creative skills ready and waiting!

Skills Kitchen, 4pm, Tuesdays, Kingsley Hall – Who’s cooking good looking? Wow your friends with some incredible cooking Football, 3pm, Friday, Easton Leisure Centre – We love football and you should too! Get active, get fit and have some fun Step It Up, 2pm, Tuesday, Kingsley Hall – Want to boss life? Come to Step It Up to learn how to grab those opportunities in employment and training

We have loads more activities going on, specific for where you live! All you need to do is check out the schedule at your housing reception or your shared house and get in touch with Sophia or Duane.

You can reach Sophia on: 07875074262 sophia.ahmed@1625ip.co.uk Or Duane: 07534278774 duane.macdonald@1625ip.co.uk For the Youth Board contact, Ria: 07964467251 ria.anderson@1625ip.co.uk

1625 INDEPENDENT PEOPLE A micro-magazine, for Young People, by Young People.

1625 Independent People is a charity and a registered society (Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, reg: 23964R exempt from registration with the Charity Commission).

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