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meet the women we work with
Tegen
I first came across Platform 51 seven years ago when I was at school. I was 14. I’d been getting into quite a lot of trouble at school. I lost interest and couldn’t see the point any more. I had a hard upbringing – mum kicked me out and I had to go and live with Dad - so being disruptive, cheeky and not doing my homework was my way of being in control. I got into trouble in lessons and sometimes bunked off altogether. It became a bit of a habit.
One of the Platform 51 workers. Jo, would come into school to run group sessions on self-esteem, the future and the sort of life skills people really need to know. It really helped. Part of the sessions was training to be a peer mentor. That’s really good because you have to work with other people and the teachers to arrange things and take responsibility for stuff. It felt good.
Eventually I came to understand that there was a point to school. It was about my future and I could be in control of my own life. I was working in a supermarket and I hated it, so I decided I wanted to go to college and I knew I’d have to get certain grades to get in. It was the goal I needed. I got 11 GCSEs in the end. And I’ve since moved back with mum and we’ve got a really good relationship now.
Platform 51 made me think about future; and realise that I had one. I found it so hard when mum kicked me out and they helped me come to terms with that, and moving away from my friends. They listened and understood me and they never judged me.
And now I’m back at Platform 51 on student placement with university; I’m training to be a youth worker. It’s great to form bonds with the girls here and be the one who can help. If someone comes in upset and goes out smiling, that’s a really nice feeling.
I don’t even want to think about what life would be like without Platform 51: I’d probably still be working at the supermarket. I wouldn’t have a relationship with my mum. I wouldn’t have known about the importance of working with young people, I might not have ever thought about being a youth worker and the difference I can make.
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