Monday morning started for me in the early hours of 03:30hrs. Myself, and my other two colleagues travelled with our YP who was ever so hyperactive, entertaining and had many, MANY stories he offered up to us voluntarily about his background and his life. The three of us listened inventively, engaging and responding where appropriate. The YP was very well behaved, had a real nice balance of humour and banter (as he put it). The transport went without issue, and he was happy the whole journey. Working with fantastic transport staff who are highly experienced and bring a great level of chemistry every time, are just a great combo as it ensures reliability as well as a great ride for our YP whom thoroughly enjoyed themselves whilst in our care.
Tuesday provided a transport scheduled for 16:00hrs. Upon arrival the YP had absolutely zero intention of going with us and left the premises after a disgruntled conversation with his Social Worker. After seeking permission, I walked after the YP and attempted very calmly and politely to engage with the young person accompanied by another staff member. The young person was completely uninterested and repeatedly asked us to leave them alone. However, after several failed attempts the young person was reluctant to engage at first, but I used the time with him to highlight who we were, how we work and our high-class cars we use amongst other things.
Once I discovered the ‘hook’ of the young person’s love of gaming (X-Box) I had an ‘in’. It turned out to be one of, if not the best transport I have ever been involved in. The YP is one of the most incredible, talented, polite, well-mannered and intelligent young people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. It is the first time I had worked with our, Head of Crisis intervention staff and is an absolute star in being able to resolve an arising issue! Very chilled and has a nice calm way about himas well as my other colleague who was an absolute pleasure to work with as they are such a well-rounded incredibly intelligent, fun person with such an infectious endearing personality. I truly believe they will be a tremendous attribute to the Serenity Welfare family.
Wednesday on the other hand was a completely different day. Myself, and my other two colleaguestravelled to collect a young person and upon arriving we were escorted upstairs by Police to meet with the YP. The young person immediately was not happy in any way shape or form about being transported. The YP kept asking where they were being transported to. Initially my colleague took the lead and engaged with him and had agreed we would avoid divulging his destination to avoid potentially aggravating and upsetting him following discussing his risk assessment amongst ourselves. I did attempt to engage with the YP early on but was met with “listen yeah don’t be trynachat to me cos I ain’t interested in what you gotta say you get me”, followed by the inevitable kissing of his teeth. My response was simply and calmly cool – no drama.
We headed up towards our set location and the first 2.5 hours were very frosty. However, my colleague was a complete, total and utter superstar. I was in awe of the way my colleague managed the whole start to the journey. I would probably best explain and detail my colleague’s skill set on this occasion as simply mirroring the YPs attitude and manner. Eventually my colleague eased the YPs attitude and defensive barriers, almost by employing inadvertent reverse psychology. YP started to become slightly more responsive as the journey increased. During transportation, I did see a spot for a slight opening about 3.5 hours in and asked the YP if he’d been to primary school in the area? Slightly intrigued they replied, yes? I then started stating primary schools in the area and got to the Star Primary which was my third suggestion and they replied yes. Very puzzled by this point – I further asked if they had remembered carrying out Junior Citizens with his class whilst in year 5. With a slight smile he responded yes and asked, “Yo how’d you know that”. I explained I was also a London Firefighter as another job and that I had recognised them from attending JCs. This opened a new train of dialogue, and they mellowed a little and was actually very excited to talk about it.
Although I must stress and emphasise that this would not have been possible without the team’sinteraction and most importantly how they had managed themselves dealing with the YP. In addition,my colleague always brings their own unique input every time and is very maternal when it comes to YPs which is always helpful and balanced the situation.
By the time it came to the YP arriving at their destination, they had gone from a YP full of attitude, kissing his teeth and having nothing to say to us. To a young person who exited the vehicle calmly and thanked us for taking them. I held my hand out which they took, shook and I said that when it came to them returning to their location that, if they wanted, we would be more than willing to come and collect them. They smiled and we wished them luck. My colleague summed up the transport perfectly and said, ‘we had picked up a YP who was trying to carry themselves as an adult, but by the time we had taken them on our journey and interacted with them, they exited our company as the child/teenager they should be’.
Finally for my week of Serenity - on to Thursday. Again, working with two other colleagues to collect another YP, upon our arrival we had made an emphatic request to the care staff, to inform the YP they were being transported before our arrival. They had agreed to do this yet once we were there and inside the property. It was only then that they called the YP down and the YP looked at us shocked and asked his care team “am I being moved” They responded yes and fortunately, they quite literally screamed and jumped for joy. They were so very excited; they couldn’t contain themselves. The resulting journey was quite frankly hilarious. The young person Is extremely funny, joyous, and a flamboyant individual, who prides themself as being a self-confessed comedian. All three of us had to use tact and diplomacy when interacting with the YP and use trepidation as it became evident very quickly that they were in control of the conversations and the direction of the dialogue.
That was no issue for us, the young person was safely delivered comfortably to his destination with no problems, and we wished them well once we had arrived and left.
It has genuinely, truthfully been a joy to meet and work with staff who are all amazing and thoroughly look forward to helping many more young people on their journeys through life.