A YOUNG Immingham woman is looking forward to a new future, after turning her life around thanks to an innovative development programme.
Just two years ago, at just 21 years of age, Caz White admitted to being on the brink of self-destruction. She was drinking and reached extremely low points in her life, during which she could not see a future.
Always shy, Caz’s problems escalated when she moved from Yorkshire to live in Immingham and struggled to meet new people. She had completed ICT studies at college in Doncaster but found it hard to progress anything when she moved to North East Lincolnshire.
“I hated who I was, I would lay in bed and just pray that people would leave me alone. I did not know anyone or have any friends and did not have the confidence to do anything about it,” she recalled.
“So, I just ended up staying in my room, and it got worse and worse,” she remembers.
It was at one of Caz’s weekly visits to Jobcentre Plus that first saw her introduced to CatZero, and the unique work it does with the long-term unemployed. A follow-up text saw her invited to a programme presentation and that is where her new journey began.
“I knew I wanted to try and change, in fact I had to, but I am not sure I would have ever done it without the help of the CatZero team. In fact, I look back now and say to myself ‘what the hell were you thinking of,’” said Caz.
CatZero, which runs programmes for young people, the unemployed and families across both sides of the Humber, took Caz through its 12-week programme of change – joining a mix of other individuals, all with different issues. Vocational, practical and academic support is given as participants successfully achieve a variety of qualifications, along with interview skills, work experience and team bonding.
Part of the experience is the chance to sail on the charity’s yacht – taking part in an eight-day voyage with team work, challenge and hard work in the mix.
“I was petrified of everything before I started, in fact terrified to do anything. But the team at CatZero believe in you, so you begin to believe in yourself. To start with I simply thought I would pretend to be enjoying what I was doing, and then I realised I was actually having the most fantastic experience and journey of my life,” she added.
Now, having successfully passed the three-month programme with qualifications and confidence under her belt, Caz remains in contact with the CatZero team, who are assisting her to enter the care profession.
“They saved me and now I look to a new future, I cannot thank them all enough,” she said.