George didn’t attend school. He was referred to the YNOT project by his Mum in July 2008 as he had not been attending school for a year due to behavioural issues.
George got involved in a range of YNOT activities including DJ-ing and Portsmouth Youth Variety Show. He said the course was “excellent”.

Lisa was referred to Learning Links via Brune Park Community College in Gosport. Lisa was facing permanent exclusion due to inappropriate behaviour and language towards staff and other students. “Learning Links helps those kids who can’t cope with school” . She truanted daily and had not accessed her education fully for 18 months and had therefore fallen behind in all subjects missing vital support from the education system.

Ben attended a A4e Job Search Support Contract programme and undertook Finding and Getting a Job with Learning Links. He appeared shy and reserved; he also found it difficult to engage with the group. Bens main barrier to work was a lack of self confidence as well as not knowing the best way to promote himself.

Paul had been unemployed for 18 months and heard from a friend that Learning Links facilitate the practice sessions to obtain a CSCS (Construction Site Certification Scheme) card to improve his prospects of finding employment. Paul was assigned a Key Worker, on his first appointment the Key Worker found out that he had never had a CV and agreed to create one during a follow-up appointment.