Jason

Jason was long-term unemployed and struggling with social isolation. He hadn’t left the Bilborough and Strelley area for over 30 years.

During the pandemic, his social prescriber introduced him to Evolve. During his first discussions with Gary Jason was asked if he would help us by filling some bags with food for members of the community. He began attending every day so he could help others which built his confidence.

Jason was included in our Thinking Of You project where we visited vulnerable residents in Beechdale to provide doorstep activities for older people during lockdown. This was the first time he’d been to another area for many years so was a huge step. Soon, he had developed a sense of belonging and purpose based on the positive effect of his volunteering on others.

Over several years, Evolve was there to provide him with opportunity and support him every inch of the way. Jason has gone on to thrive and is now a social prescriber himself, working as a drug and alcohol support worker in the city centre.

Kian

Kian is a young person who was on the fringes of offending with many of his peer group and had been involved in antisocial behaviour when he started attending our youth sessions with his peer group.

During sessions they would ask him to leave with them but, based on the activities taking place, Kian always stayed to get involved by supporting other people to benefit from what we offered. Based on his maturity he has become a young leader, volunteering and takes responsibility at sessions. He started to help at community meals every Wednesday before offering to support our men’s group. This provided him with paid work as he progressed to support us with delivery of the Holiday Activities and Food programme with partners Nottingham Forest Community Trust.

As a result of his attitude and desire to help, he was offered a job at the Forest Sports Zone in Hyson Green.

Pat

Pat is an older member of the community who suffered social isolation following bereavement. She is not active with several health issues.

During the week she attends our hub as she knows this is a place she can connect with people. She doesn’t take part in Zumba because of her health but listens and joins in from her seat. She stands to take part where she can and knows there is no pressure to participate due to the supportive environment we create. She understands that physical activities make her feel better and eases her joint pain. Pat uses activities to relieve her symptoms and joins in as often as she can.

She has become an example to everyone who visits. Despite her mobility issues, Pat volunteers every Wednesday and provides help in the kitchen during community meals. She also volunteers to support our family, health and holiday events.

Sam

Sam is a mother of two who lives locally having moved to the area from Malawi.

Initially we met her during the pandemic as she came to access our food bank during lockdowns. She wanted to help and volunteered to distribute food bags. Her children go to the local school which is where she has met dozens of other local women and made friends. This has created a natural link for other parents to attend our hub and access support, especially people who have settled here having arrived from across the world. Sam is now employed by Evolve and is an integral member of our team, offering a welcoming face to our daily activities. She has helped us identify issues around certain cultures’ reluctance to access support for children with additional needs.

With our help, Sam created a support group for African women with children at our local school. This has developed her skills and confidence, meaning she has taken additional courses to support her work including mental health coaching and chair-based exercise classes.

Gemma

Gemma is a local mum who began her involvement by accessing exercise classes.

During the pandemic, it was clear she was able to inspire other people. She volunteered to support our community work and was encouraged by our staff to lead exercise classes for women. She has activated many women who would not normally participate in standard fitness classes as they need something tailored to their needs which Gemma provides.

She is now employed by Evolve and has several areas of responsibility including youth and community engagement work. She supports teenagers through her mentoring in partnership with Forest Futures and This Girl Can.

Craig

Craig was unemployed and living with his family close by. He started to volunteer with us during the pandemic.

Very quickly, he became a key member of the team having felt lost for many years. His volunteering work gave him purpose and people could see him providing worthwhile support to others. This growth in confidence and self-esteem has led to him taking many opportunities to help.

He helps to run our men’s group and helps with any project, whenever we need him. Now, he is in full-time employment at a local hotel but still makes time to help us every week.