This week we’d like to help Jeremy, a young care leaver who has finally found a job that gives him purpose, but needs help to get there.

Jeremy was removed from his parents when he was only 3. By that age he had already witnessed severe domestic violence and been exposed to drugs and alcohol. He moved foster placements 11 times before finally settling with a therapeutic foster carer.

Jeremy was impulsive, angry and struggled to trust anyone. He was diagnosed with ADHD and found school really tough. But when he started doing more hands-on work, things changed for him. When he was 15, his foster carer helped him get a café job and he thrived. He also worked as a labourer on various building sites and loved the routine and sense of achievement. When he turned 18, he had to leave his foster carer and move into a flat 6 miles away. He struggled without her support and structure, and ended up losing his job.

He was devastated but hasn’t stopped trying to get back on track. He has walked miles to the Job Centre and he has sent hundreds of applications...and it worked. He secured a trial working in a factory, and it’s a job that he’s really excited about. But it’s almost 10 miles away and there is no public transport option. So it means cycling almost an hour each way down dangerous county roads in all weather - for day shifts or night shifts. But he’s willing to do that. 

On his first day, he cycled and got a puncture on the way. He picked up his bike and ran the rest of the way to work so he wouldn’t be late. He is so determined to make this work.

He was nominated by his social worker who asked if we could help Jeremy buy a moped so he can get to work more safely and start to build some independence. Jeremy had a really traumatic start to life but this little bit of kindness could be the turning point he needs. 

(We don’t have a wishlist this week, because we’re focusing everything on helping Jeremy get this moped).

*Name has been changed