Catherine is team leader at a city centre restaurant, and this year will give birth to her first child. She took time to reflect on her FOCUS journey with us, which began in 2017.
Catherine: “I found out about Inspire from my mate in school, who knew Gavan and Michelle [former Leicestival Assistant Manager] from their previous club down in St Matthews.
“I was around thirteen or fourteen…. There was a lot going on with the family, mental health, school and stuff. So, I joined to try and help take my mind off everything once a week.”
Darren: “What did you think of the Inspire Project during your first few sessions?”
Catherine: “It was a week-long residential, with a bunch of strangers, and you did bonding activities. I actually made some really good friends.
“I used to always keep to myself. I just tried not to go out of my comfort zone, but FOCUS helped me get out of my comfort zone and do things that I wouldn’t have done before. It helped me get a job. Before I wouldn’t have thought about working with people, because I don’t like people… So it helped me sort of deal with people and customers in general.
“We went camping in the woods. I loved it, being away from everything and out in the open, basically no shelter apart from a tent. Everyone sort of came together; everyone had to rely on each other. It was the only time there were no arguments and we didn’t have a phone signal.
“I’m more confident in trusting people. I wasn’t an easy book to open. I trusted no one… Then through Inspire and the people there helping me to learn to trust, I realised that some people are just bad apples. I’m now very good at reading people. I developed and learnt that at FOCUS, like reading people and being able to tell how they would be in a situation.”
Darren: “What motivated you to continue with Inspire?”
Catherine: “Michelle – she was just so down to earth, and she made everyone feel welcome. Nathan, the volunteer, and believe it or not… Matt – he gave me some good advice. I would arrive early and talk to him about his sons and football. It was the support. You all listen to people, so I wouldn’t change one thing.”
Darren: “What was your attitude like in general?”
Catherine: “Negative, I think that was more towards myself than other people. I blamed myself for everything. I wasn’t very nice to myself and that made me not very nice to other people.
“You can do anything you put your mind to. Instead of fighting against yourself, you need to fight with yourself, if that makes sense?
“I think that I can manage conflict better than what I could before. So, at work, if we have trouble with a customer, I can talk to them, tell them to stop shouting at me and I will be able to refund them.”
Darren: “If you recommend Inspire to other young people what may you say?”
Catherine: “I would tell them how it has mainly helped me, with my confidence and communication and that. ‘Everyone was great, the staff were lovely, the volunteers were great. You’ve just got to be able to trust them otherwise you’re not going to enjoy it.”