This story has been written by the client’s Housing Support Worker.

My client, DM was released from Custody on 21/12/2023 and was referred to me as an offender. He attended the office for an initial support plan on 03/01/2024 and was given a warm coat and hat. He had no money, so I obtained an emergency food parcel from the Welcome Centre. His appointment with (Department of Work and Pensions) DWP was arranged for 17/01/2024, and in the meantime, he had no income, and was currently staying in Community Accommodation Service (CAS3) , but that was only for 12 weeks.

On 28/12/2023 I applied to the Personalisation Fund (PF) to buy DM a basic mobile phone, credit top ups and a monthly bus ticket to enable him to attend appointments with Foundation, Probation Service and enable job/accommodation search. I also helped him register on Choose N Move which he regularly uses to search for suitable accommodation. I also referred him to My Mind for assessment as he suffers with depression, and he is now receiving counselling, for which we fund the sessions. DM has also referred himself to Union Bank meetings for previous alcohol and substance misuse to keep him on track and is currently rebuilding a relationship with his daughter, who hasn’t spoken to him for a few years.

Whilst DM was in custody, his work coach suggested he contact Rail Futures for training. DM was lucky enough to be accepted onto their Rail Engineering Fast Track Programme course which started on 15/01/2024 called Personal Track Safety Pre- Learning. I obtained a monthly bus ticket through the (PF) to enable him to get to Leeds College every day, but the journey was taking 2 hours each way. I was worried that this would be a barrier to future attendance so applied to the PF to purchase a monthly rail pass on 10/01/2024 which made the journeys shorter and more reliable.

To obtain evidence for his Education, Training and Employment (ETE), I contacted the course tutor to confirm DM’s attendance, and he responded saying “The course DM is on started on 15/01/2024. This will end on the 23/02/2024. If DM continues with the course and passes his Medical and Maths and English exams, he would be put forward for Safety Critical Training week commencing 26/02/24. This would be dependent on completing his college portfolio.”

In the meantime, DM has sourced a smarter mobile phone as he needed more functionality to access course materials. He returned the mobile we issued, which will be passed to another Foundation client.

DM successfully completed his training modules on 23/02/2024 and gained a Network Rail NVQ Level 2 qualification. I was able to provide a weekly travel card for the final week of the course through PF. Due to this he has been automatically enrolled onto a further two-week training programme at Trackwork Ltd, Kirk Sandall Lane, Doncaster that began on 26/02/2024.

I was able to purchase a weekly rail pass for his fist week at Trackwork on the Personal Track Pre-Safety Learning course through the PF. Another rail pass has been approved for the final week of the course week commencing 04/03/2024.

Once completed DM is hopeful of gaining full time employment on the HS2 Trans Pennine Route Upgrade project, who are currently recruiting. He told me the earnings potential on this project would help him secure private rented accommodation, which is his main ambition.

DM has passed his last training course and is awaiting sponsorship for a CSCS card. He can then head to Network Rail to secure a job later this month.

What an achievement. Well done DM!!

You can learn more about Foundation Kirklees and KBOP here.