Bringing God's grace and healing love
to people with life-disrupting problems

Client Stories
October 2006

From Andy

Asylum Seeker regains Smile...

A Christian asylum seeker from Eritrea, left home to escape the war and persecution. He'd had a responsible job in education in his own country but would have had to go to war if he had stayed. He travelled by night across many countries before reaching the UK. He was granted refugee status but then found himself on his own, on the streets in London. He heard there were jobs in Bristol, but ended up in a hostel surrounded by drug users.

He came into the Wild Goose and was befriended by one of our volunteers, who suggested he came on the LITE course. He completed the training and went on to an ESOL course. After months of applying for endless jobs he went through a very discouraging and despondent time, feeling he must be a "disgusting person, who no-one wanted to employ". Eventually he gained a full time, paid care job. He has completed his probationary period and is enjoying the work. He is a changed man; the smile has returned to his face and he is so grateful for the start we were able to give him.

Resident from Withywood helps out...

A resident from Withywood, who has done the round of support agencies and voluntary work placements, without seeming to make much progress, wrote on his evaluation sheet at the end of the last course "The LITE course for me has been very helpful to achieve my full potential. It brings out the best in me - a lifeline to the future." He has an extensive experience of computers and was very helpful sharing his knowledge with others on the course. This was a tremendous boost to his confidence and gave him a very real sense of achievement. He has just started another part time voluntary work placement, repairing electrical goods for resale.

Support Worker benefits from LITE...

A student, who finished in March this year, was extremely proficient in many ways and seemed not to need the LITE course. She was a part time support worker at college, as well as a carer for elderly people. She came on the course to improve her confidence and assertiveness in particular. She then went to London to complete a British Signing Course.

Voluntary Work paves way to Self-Employment...

During the last course an ex-offender completed a two week voluntary work placement; his aim being to gain experience in business management. He then left to pursue his dream to set up in self-employment, having attended courses in managing a business.

Ethiopian Overwhelmed with Appreciation...

An Ethiopian came to the UK seeking asylum. He had worked in the family business as a taxi driver and mechanic but was imprisoned for his political beliefs. His father had died in prison, opposing the war with Eritrea. He doesn't know what happened to his mother and sister, as they were deported to Eritrea (his mother being of Eritrean descent). He found himself in a strange land, with no friends and unable to communicate. Fortunately he came across the Eritrean student featured at the top of this page, who recommended he come on the LITE course; he even brought him along to sign up. He completed the four modules and now has a paid job. He is also doing an ESOL course at college, to improve his English. We gave him an old computer to practice on and he was overwhelmed, saying he didn't have the words to express his thanks.

Referred by Psychiatric Nurse after binge in Amsterdam...

Bristol born and bred, another student suffered a breakdown and mental illness after a trip to Amsterdam, some years ago, where he abused cannabis and alcohol, ending up unconscious. (He thinks "friends" could have spiked his drink). He completed the LITE course and has moved on to do further assertiveness training and a literacy course at college.

From Trauma towards a career in Nursing...

After a traumatic experience, which affected her considerably, this student gained confidence and friends on the LITE course. She is continuing with part time voluntary work and has been referred to a mental health agency, where she will receive one to one mentoring. She is keen to train for a career in nursing.

From Industrial Burnout to Gardening...

A workaholic, who had travelled the country in different jobs, overdid it, took to drinking and suffered the consequences, losing his family in the process. He developed mental illness and came on the LITE course to find his way back into a more stable lifestyle. He completed modules 2, 3 and 4 and as he finds gardening quite therapeutic, has signed up for a course at college. He is also looking for voluntary work in the same line.

Losing everything, starting from scratch...

After a degree and several successful careers, this guy lost everything - house, car and money, supporting his partner's drug habit. When enough was enough he said "Sorry, no more". She turned against him, went into his work place and started a row. He then lost his job as well and ended up on the street! He is now living in a hostel, surrounded by drug addicts but determined to start up a business, as a photographer. He joined half way through the last LITE course and finds it is benefiting him in restarting his life from scratch. He is being mentored in self-employment and has also started a photography course to expand his knowledge.

Client Stories October 2006