Shattered, lost and empty is what the death of Kids Company (shortened to 'Kids') has made me feel. My second home no longer exists and I still am in mourning.
Three weeks ago, the charity closed its centres across the UK, and abandoned myself and a million other vulnerable young people who have been severely traumatised. I am not glamorising vulnerability, but for a second, just imagine .. all of us (the young people associated with Kids) not having a shoulder to cry on any more, a firm hand pointing us in the right direction or giving us the thumbs up in supporting our goals, or having a decent lunch and our weeks travel sorted .. suddenly being taken to a cliff and threatened to be pushed off. That's what it feels like.
Kids has done for me, what I believe no other institution, be it educational or youth-based could match or exceed, for their services had no price attached to it, but soul and pure love. I used to read about Kids in the newspapers and how the charity supports disadvantaged young people in London who may be facing poverty and abuse and I was really interested in the progress of Kids. I never thought I'd someday be a part of Kids company, but that all changed ..
Cut a long story short, I accompanied a friend of mine to a Kids Company centre on Tower Bridge road, as she was starting a fashion course there and wanted to get some paperwork sorted. As soon as I stepped in, I was in awe of the homely atmosphere and the vibrant energy and buzz. There were a few weeks till I started my 2nd year of university just down the road (in Elephant and Castle at The University Of The Arts London), but I wanted to be occupied through some sort of learning before hand. I started speaking to members of staff and somehow got an assessment done and assigned a key worker within two weeks of me registering myself.
Here is where I big up my key worker. I used to envy young people who had key workers as it appeared to me that they got to take advantage of certain privileges and support that I didn't get, such as being taken to special dinners and trips and just having someone to help you deal with life's stresses. Kids gave me a fantastic key worker who goes by the name of Martin. A very humble and lovable man, who believed me in time that I couldn't bear to love myself and recognise my potential. No matter what I told him, he always offered a helping hand by listening and advising me accordingly.Many a times Martin helped me regain my strength and sense of belief that I could get through anything in my way.
It wasn't just Martin that I was blessed with, but Has as well. Now I had two key workers, Martin and Has. I used to see both of them together at least once a week, sometimes, twice or three times, and they allowed me to have the space to explore and share my problems and come up with solutions. This meant the world to me, to have people who regularly check up on me and really look out for me and my well being. I never had that sort of consistency in my life and so it really raised my hope in human beings to be compassionate people.
Has and Martin were literally a godsend, the amount of times they sat down and comforted me while I delve din my sorrows and cried my heart out. The amount of times they both told me I'm intelligent, beautiful and that I would go really far, absolutely priceless. My key workers were like my best friends, always showering me with positive energy and supporting me at my lowest points.
When I was going through depression, Has particularly sent me a text every day wishing me a good day and letting me know she was there for me if needed. Both Martin and Has came with me to my first therapy session at a centre in Brixton, they gave up their time to reassure me and keep me company. They spoke highly of me in front of me and behind my back to. They rooted for me always and defended me without my presence. As a result of allegations of misconduct and poor funding, the charity has now ceased to exist and cost me my friendship with these two amazing souls, who only Allah knows if I am going to see them ever again.
Kids was my second home, my escapism, my personal diary and part of my journey. Without it, I am struggling. Yes I do have a job, but with rising inflation prices and taking care of daily stresses, more often than not, I am left with not enough money for my week's travel. This is where Kids would have came in handy, but now I have no choice but to cut down on what I eat and buy a nourishment to last me the whole day at times. Not only that, but I have given up on going to therapy and its really had an impact on me, as I feel like I am slowly drifting into depression again, or another episode.
This is my experience, some will feel it more and others less so, but one thing is for sure, Kids Company is renowned with reason and great reason alone. It strives to support the most disadvantaged young people and works very hard to transform people's lives for the better. I really hope Kids can have a future ..
Kids has done for me, what I believe no other institution, be it educational or youth-based could match or exceed, for their services had no price attached to it, but soul and pure love. I used to read about Kids in the newspapers and how the charity supports disadvantaged young people in London who may be facing poverty and abuse and I was really interested in the progress of Kids. I never thought I'd someday be a part of Kids company, but that all changed ..
Cut a long story short, I accompanied a friend of mine to a Kids Company centre on Tower Bridge road, as she was starting a fashion course there and wanted to get some paperwork sorted. As soon as I stepped in, I was in awe of the homely atmosphere and the vibrant energy and buzz. There were a few weeks till I started my 2nd year of university just down the road (in Elephant and Castle at The University Of The Arts London), but I wanted to be occupied through some sort of learning before hand. I started speaking to members of staff and somehow got an assessment done and assigned a key worker within two weeks of me registering myself.
Here is where I big up my key worker. I used to envy young people who had key workers as it appeared to me that they got to take advantage of certain privileges and support that I didn't get, such as being taken to special dinners and trips and just having someone to help you deal with life's stresses. Kids gave me a fantastic key worker who goes by the name of Martin. A very humble and lovable man, who believed me in time that I couldn't bear to love myself and recognise my potential. No matter what I told him, he always offered a helping hand by listening and advising me accordingly.Many a times Martin helped me regain my strength and sense of belief that I could get through anything in my way.
It wasn't just Martin that I was blessed with, but Has as well. Now I had two key workers, Martin and Has. I used to see both of them together at least once a week, sometimes, twice or three times, and they allowed me to have the space to explore and share my problems and come up with solutions. This meant the world to me, to have people who regularly check up on me and really look out for me and my well being. I never had that sort of consistency in my life and so it really raised my hope in human beings to be compassionate people.
Has and Martin were literally a godsend, the amount of times they sat down and comforted me while I delve din my sorrows and cried my heart out. The amount of times they both told me I'm intelligent, beautiful and that I would go really far, absolutely priceless. My key workers were like my best friends, always showering me with positive energy and supporting me at my lowest points.
When I was going through depression, Has particularly sent me a text every day wishing me a good day and letting me know she was there for me if needed. Both Martin and Has came with me to my first therapy session at a centre in Brixton, they gave up their time to reassure me and keep me company. They spoke highly of me in front of me and behind my back to. They rooted for me always and defended me without my presence. As a result of allegations of misconduct and poor funding, the charity has now ceased to exist and cost me my friendship with these two amazing souls, who only Allah knows if I am going to see them ever again.
Kids was my second home, my escapism, my personal diary and part of my journey. Without it, I am struggling. Yes I do have a job, but with rising inflation prices and taking care of daily stresses, more often than not, I am left with not enough money for my week's travel. This is where Kids would have came in handy, but now I have no choice but to cut down on what I eat and buy a nourishment to last me the whole day at times. Not only that, but I have given up on going to therapy and its really had an impact on me, as I feel like I am slowly drifting into depression again, or another episode.
This is my experience, some will feel it more and others less so, but one thing is for sure, Kids Company is renowned with reason and great reason alone. It strives to support the most disadvantaged young people and works very hard to transform people's lives for the better. I really hope Kids can have a future ..