Case Studies

Read some of the journeys that people have gone on during their time with us. They are powerful and show how important our work is!

TM's story

TM joined us at Take Time For You when we first started our community services. At the time, he was isolated and didn't have much confidence.

He started with our tuition as he had wanted to achieve his level 2 in maths for a long time. Once he started his lessons, he couldn't believe how much he actually enjoyed maths and learning in general. His knowledge has blossomed and he is set to take his level 2 exam within the next year.

TM has seen our services grow and has helped us to co-design our projects so that they are accesisble, relevant and engaging. As our groups have grown, he has welcomed every participant with open arms and has made friendships that flourish both inside our groups and out in the community.

His independence skills such as travel and cooking have improved immensely. It was always a goal for TM to cook for his family and he has done this multiple times after attending our cooking sessions.

He has volunteered his time to support us and his confidence is growing every time we see him. He uses his experiences to help others and encourage the people around him to believe in themselves.

We are so proud of him and feel honoured to have him as a member of our family! We cannot wait to see where the future takes him!

What TM thinks about his time at Take Time For You.

"I think "Take Time For You" has helped me understand myself more.

The service offered me a connection at a time where I thought it wasn't possible.
Through the staff, I felt more accepting of myself.

I was encouraged to do more, not because I should but because I was able to.

Lydia and co are always understanding, compassionate and supportive of any adjustments a person might need while remaining both personable and professional.

I feel that TTFY offers a safe space to reconnect with the outside world at your pace, with people who really truly care and understand.

It is a satisfying break from the whirlwind of support services that one facing challenges may encounter. The service is tailored to you, but ultimately you must use it."

Participant 1

SC's story

SC started with us around 6 months ago. She started our cooking group as a referral from the 12 week pathway delivered through Sandwell Council. When we first met her, she was very shy and reserved and needed lots of reassurance from her support worker.

It didn't take her long to find her feet. She attended around 4 sessions with her support worker and then began travelling and attending weekly on her own.

She is now much more confident and has said her cooking skills have improved from a 3/10 to a 9/10. This confidence has encouraged her to start learning Maths and English again and she is set to sit her exams in the next year. It has been amazing watching her build friendships that like TM blossom outside of our service too.

Her presence is appreciated by staff as she now takes on the role of a buddy and support system for people new to the group. She refers others that she meets in the community to our groups when she knows they need help. As well as taking on that role, she regulalry volunteers to support fundraising events and stalls selling items that our groups make.

Like TM, she regularly gives us ideas and feedback to co-design future projects. This includes our dream to have our own food truck to give people work experience and training who often do not get the chance in mainstream job roles.

She is another member of the Take Time For You family that shines and encourages those around her to try new things.

"The group has helped me by cooking and learning how to use things around the kitchen

Now I can cook with no help and I feel more independent."