As I look back on my first year as Manager at PCS, I feel incredibly proud — not just of my own growth, but of what our team has accomplished together, and most importantly, of the progress made by the young people we support. Over the past year, we have worked with two high‑risk young people who have each made life‑changing progress that once felt out of reach.
This year has reinforced my belief that meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight. But with consistency, compassion, and the right support, change does happen.
Ashley’s Journey
When Ashley arrived at the House at 16, she was extremely vulnerable. She had very limited independent living skills, faced significant challenges with personal hygiene, and did not have a mobile phone, as it had previously been confiscated by the police. Ashley found it hard to trust adults, rarely opened up, and presented as quiet, cautious, and withdrawn.
Over six months, the team worked intensively and therapeutically to help Ashley develop the skills she needed. Step by step, she learned cooking, cleaning, budgeting, and managing her own finances. She built routines around personal hygiene and self‑care. We also supported her to understand online safety and responsible phone use.
Because of her progress, Ashley safely received a mobile phone for her 17th birthday — something that represented both independence and trust.
Most importantly, we focused on equipping Ashley with the confidence and capability to stand on her own. Through consistent relationships, high expectations delivered with kindness, and a nurturing environment, Ashley transitioned into semi‑independent living after just six months — a remarkable achievement and a testament to her resilience.
Charlie’s Transformation
When Charlie arrived, he was considered one of the highest‑risk young people in his local authority. He had bail conditions, a history of physical assaults, substance misuse, county lines involvement, frequent missing‑from‑care episodes, and had attended school only 1% of the time over the previous four and a half years.
In only nine months, Charlie’s life has transformed. With consistent boundaries, therapeutic support, and positive role modelling, Charlie is now:
- Attending school full‑time with 100% attendance
- Recording zero missing‑from‑care incidents
- Recording zero assaults
- Fully disengaged from CCE and county lines
These outcomes reflect not only Charlie’s commitment to change, but the team’s unwavering support, belief, and consistency.
A Team‑Led, Therapeutic Approach
For both young people, the PCS team has worked hard to truly understand them — not just their case histories, but their lived experiences. This deeper understanding has shaped how we meet their needs and help them move forward.
By being consistent, safe adults and positive role models, and by operating as a therapeutic home, we have built trusting relationships rooted in safety, respect, empathy, and belief in each young person’s potential. These foundations have enabled Ashley and Charlie to grow the skills, confidence, and resilience they need for a brighter future.
Looking Ahead
As I look to the year ahead, I feel immense pride in what has been achieved so far and great confidence in what this team will continue to accomplish. Together, we are helping to change young people’s lives — one relationship, one step, and one achievement at a time.
Leza Machin – Home Manager
