Cyfle Cymru Case Studies

"After struggling with my mental health I decided to join Cyfle Cymru. I was introduced to my Peer Mentor Owain. I needed help with looking for work, training and volunteering to occupy my time. Since joining Cyfle Cymru, I have been attending courses to better my education, I also have been keen to do the Volunteer Days monthly as I enjoy them and meeting new people. For the past few months I have been [.....]

Mari from Caernarfon became homeless in 2018 and turned to Cyfle Cymru for help finding work. Since then, she has been attending the specialist training courses that Cyfle Cymru run in Bangor twice a week and has thoroughly enjoyed each course. The courses have been a great boost to her confidence and she now has new qualifications to add to her C.V. Mari said: “It will be a great help for me when I start [.....]

Before engaging with Cyfle Cymru, Sarah from Flintshire felt isolated and found it hard to move forward in her recovery. She attended a number of 1:1 sessions, worked hard with her peer mentor to build on her confidence and was able to attend a drop-in on her own. She continued to engage weekly with the project and found everything in her life was improving. Since then, she has been successful in an [.....]

Mike has enjoyed meeting new people and finding new volunteering opportunities while working with Cyfle Cymru. In the past 12 months of working with Cyfle Cymru, Mike from Colwyn Bay has gained new skills and qualifications in a range of different subjects. Mike, 59, has also made the most of the volunteering experiences available to him, including working on a gardening project. “I have been able to update [.....]

John from Chepstow came turned to Cyfle Cymru for some ideas and support in moving forward from a period of ill health and isolation. He has attended many workshops and completed online training courses supported by Cyfle Cymru. John, 62, has also received educational resources and information from Cyfle Cymru and support regarding his situation at the Jobcentre and ESA. “I just want to say a few words of [.....]

Ian from Benllech is making the most of the opportunities Cyfle Cymru have to offer, in attempt to gain work and meet new people. Ian, 51, said: “I needed help in looking for work, training and occupying my time so I was introduced to my peer mentors Owen and Hari. “Since joining Cyfle Cymru I have been attending various courses and have completed my CSCS, passing first time. This will better my education and [.....]

Melanie was referred to Cyfle Cymru by her work coach in 2017 and is now doing a job that she enjoys. Melanie, 40, needed help to build up her confidence and gain the skills to look for work. Since being on the Cyfle Cymru project Melanie has completed a computer course with Coleg Menai, attended a first aid course with the British Red Cross and completed a MEE course. She has also attended volunteering [.....]

Kelly from Wrexham has been working with peer mentor, George, for 3 months and has already seen an increase in her confidence around other people. The activities and volunteering opportunities available to Kelly through Cyfle Cymru have allowed her to meet new people and make new friends. Kelly, 26, also engages in one-to-one peer mentor support at Champion’s House which she said has taught her that “it’s not [.....]

Sharon, 36 “I was referred to CAIS as my life was spiralling out of control and have been supported by Jo Woodward from CAIS for 3 and a half years now. “She has been a massive support to me and has helped me turn my life around. “I have now even started volunteering with Jo at the Cyfle Cymru drop-in around my local area in Llanrwst and I’m looking forward to doing more courses in future and helping others [.....]

Before turning to Cyfle Cymru, Nicole was lacking in confidence and struggling to find a job. With the help of her peer mentor, she is now back in employment. Nicole, 19, attended some of the accredited training courses run by Cyfle Cymru including the personal confidence course. She also started volunteering at a farm, which also helped to boost her confidence and meet new people. With this new found [.....]