The #Focus5 project provides free, unique, one-to-one support to young people aged 15-18 across Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay, who need help taking small steps into education, employment or training.  The four main outcomes of the project include; understanding the skills employers look for, improving readiness for employment or training, increasing self-awareness and an understanding of individual strengths and identifying solutions to any potential barriers. We are incredibly proud of the young people on the programme who have overcome many barriers in their life with the help of their key workers and are pleased to share this story from young person Kira.

Kira Gould, #Focus5 Young Person.

“This is something I have been scared of sharing, I have been working on this for a long time With Actiontrack Music Studio and my #Focus5 Key Worker, Julie.

As you all know I have been struggling for a long time with emerging borderline personality disorder, and even though it is a horrific thing to deal with, it has also made me creative through my struggles.

I have written and produced a song through this amazing project with Actiontrack and #Focus5 and this is what we have made, vocals are not mine but I am so proud to have produced and written something so filled with emotion, which truly reflects how things feel for me. Please listen and try not to be too harsh me.”

#Focus5 is funded by the European Social Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund.  Young people can be referred to benefit from #Focus5 anytime using the online form