Todd was referred to The Forward Trust in January 2025 by his probation practitioner for support with alcohol. Prior to this, he had never engaged with any support services. At the time of referral, Todd felt physically fit and healthy, despite having recently been released from custody in October 2024 after serving a nine-month sentence.
Emotionally, however, he was struggling. Just three weeks after his release, Todd’s mother passed away:
“Her loss deeply affected me. I felt depressed, lacked motivation, and often found it difficult to get out of bed. My GP provided support for my mental health, which I am grateful for during that challenging time.
“Although many people recognised that my offence was out of character, a few individuals distanced themselves from me. I was also experiencing financial hardship, made worse by my bereavement.”
Taylar was allocated as Todd’s key worker at The Forward Trust. She worked closely with him to develop a tailored action plan focused on motivation and personal support. Through her guidance, Todd received harm reduction advice and participated in a mix of one-to-one and group sessions.
“These sessions gave me a renewed sense of purpose and helped reintroduce a much-needed social aspect to my life. They also gave me the space to reflect on my behaviours and recognise my triggers.”
Taylar also referred Todd to Catch 22 for support with finances and debt. Thanks to this referral, Todd received financial advice and food bank vouchers that helped him through a very difficult period.
One significant turning point came when Todd was invited to an event at Brent Civic Centre, hosted by The Forward Trust. There, he met Stephen, who gave him the opportunity to share his interests in employment and personal development. This led to Todd applying for a role with Blue Sky Services, where he is now proudly employed.
Alongside his job, Todd is currently studying at university and is in the process of onboarding to become a peer mentor with The Forward Trust.
“I want to give back to others who have faced similar life experiences and help them see that change is possible.
"The support I received from the Forward Trust has been truly life changing. I’m in a much stronger, healthier position than I was six months ago. I am thankful for the opportunity to rebuild and grow.”
