Testimonials

Testimonial 6

I am writing this as you’re speaking to to my daughter.

You are an absolute incredible inspiring person who anyone that comes into contact with you is extremely lucky. As discussed I am very worried and anxious at the moment that my daughter is going to fall massively into depression over her boyfriend when he comes out of prison over the next 2 weeks.

I am fearful she will start to self harm again and miss college due to feeling so low in self esteem (where she has been before) and once September comes she will have no interest in her chosen career path.

I sincerely and truly hope I am proved wrong and her boyfriend has changed for the better and he and my daughter can have a good life.

This is fundamentally and absolutely the reason I hope you can continue to see her.

You have made a massive impact on her life and she speaks very highly of you, as do I. And as her mum it’s so reassuring to know she has you there to talk to in her life and support her from the “outside”, with support being imminent over the next few months.

Please please continue your amazing work and help those lucky children who are fortunate enough to cross your path!

Julian Philips
Mentor

With an extensive 23-year career in the Criminal Justice System, encompassing roles within the prison system and probation, Julian has acquired invaluable expertise. Additionally, he has held a managerial position in the Mental Health sector, further broadening my knowledge and skills. In both his personal and professional life, he is driven by a strong motivation […]

Testimonials

Testimonial 5. –

Since my son started getting comfortable talking to you he is much calmer, and his suicidal thoughts are gone. Every week he seems excited to ask you questions.

I sincerely request that you continue talking to him so that his mental health can be kept in good balance.

Thank you for being there!.

Julian Philips
Mentor

With an extensive 23-year career in the Criminal Justice System, encompassing roles within the prison system and probation, Julian has acquired invaluable expertise. Additionally, he has held a managerial position in the Mental Health sector, further broadening my knowledge and skills. In both his personal and professional life, he is driven by a strong motivation […]

Testimonials

Testimonial 3.

Hi Julian, thank you for working with y son, the sessions have greatly impacted him in a positive way and I can see the changes in him with how he deals with certain situations and within his friendships, he has taken onboard the advice and mentoring you have given him and I am very grateful that he has had a positive male figure in his life to guide him in his teenage young life because as we all know it can be very challenging and boys especially are just at risk of so many things.

Youth Unity is a brilliant service and the work that is being done with young people is so very needed, the only thing I wish is that there were more activities for the 13 and up teenagers as I feel a lot of them cut them off at 11 and 12 and I don’t think that is fair or right, 13 is such a crucial age in a child’s life and that is the time they need to be stimulated and kept busy so as to keep them off the streets and out of trouble, so pls can activities for 13-16 be looked into as I think it is very important.

Other than that I would be more than happy for you to continue working with my son if possible because I feel he greatly benefits from a male mentor, he looks up to you in a positive way, looks forward to the sessions and I can tell he is taking a lot from it, thank you so much for all that you have done with my son over the past few months it is greatly appreciated.

Julian Philips
Mentor

With an extensive 23-year career in the Criminal Justice System, encompassing roles within the prison system and probation, Julian has acquired invaluable expertise. Additionally, he has held a managerial position in the Mental Health sector, further broadening my knowledge and skills. In both his personal and professional life, he is driven by a strong motivation […]

Testimonials

Testimonial 4.

I finally have a moment to properly express my gratitude.

What can I say? No words seem enough to thank you for everything you’ve done for us. You were there every step of the way, always listening, understanding my desperate situation, and calming me down. You weren’t just a mentor; you became a brother, a friend, a therapist, and a father figure—all in one.

Your support, motivational words, and encouragement helped both me and my son fight through each day, assuring us that things would eventually get better.

There were times I didn’t want to hear anyone’s voice, but you would always come over and show kindness, especially to a boy accused of attempted murder. You gave him the strength to continue being a good person, and you gave me, as a mother, the courage to be the mother I always wanted to be.

You helped us with everything—schools, college, housing, even ideas for my work. You taught me how to take things day by day. I admire you so much, Wayne. Honestly, if it weren’t for you, I don’t know if I would be here today to say all this. You literally pulled me out of a dark place.

It’s funny how I felt so wronged by the justice system, yet I’m so grateful at the same time because it led me to you.

You turned our world right-side up when everything was upside down. To my son, you were the father he never had and a true friend. He is the person he is today because of you and the team.

Thank you so much. Please keep being the amazing person you are, because you have a unique ability to help others, showing honesty and good intentions. For people like us, who were lost and found it hard to trust, you made a difference. You listened when we were afraid to speak, gave us confidence, and showed us what could be done without adding to our distress.

We love you, Wayne. Keep up the good work. I hope you understand my words, even though I might not always express myself perfectly.

I’m so grateful to have had the luck of having you and your team help us on this journey. No matter what the future holds, I hope we can stay in touch.

With gratitude,

Wayne Hill
Mentor, Gang Exit Serious Youth Violence

Wayne is a dedicated and passionate advocate in the field of serious youth violence and gang exit work. With over 25 years of experience, he has been at the forefront of efforts to address and mitigate the impact of youth violence and gang-related issues within our communities. Having witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of youth […]

Testimonials

Testimonal 2

An amazing testimonial for Paul Robinson, Mentor, Tendring

“I really enjoy working alongside Paul and can see the positive impact his work has on my young people. 

Paul, and other mentors I work with, have life stories that are an inspiration.  They inspire my work but most importantly, inspire my young people who I see come out of their shells, open up and talk.  They don’t even realise – the power of sport and indirect approaches.  Kids sitting in a room and talking about their life when on the spot, doesn’t work.  Kids kicking a ball around, hearing ‘lived experiences’ and how people dug themselves out of their hole… that is real!

They see that people don’t do it on their own but by accepting help.  They see that talking about stuff can be a release and help them to make better decisions.  Paul often brings his dog to sessions – again, animals have this magic power.  They give unconditional love and ‘just get people’.  It really helps kids and adults open up.  

What Paul offers is what many of these kids miss – a relationship, a connection, someone they can relate to.  He offers unpressured opportunities, no taboos and a safe place.  Paul is ‘lived experience’ and we can all learn from what he has to offer.  As said, a true inspiration and a bit of magic for the kids”.

Steffi Thorhauer-White

Turnaround Practitioner

Testimonials

Testimonial 1

Testimony from Tendring Technology College;

Paul Robinson, Mentor

Since his time with us Paul’s input has been invaluable.  His determination to help our young people and real life examples ensure that he fosters a good rapport with our hard to reach students.

His real life grit and authenticity ensures that he is able to reason with our pupils and achieve desired outcomes and next steps in their lives and Education.

Paul provides our pupils with real life examples of his own past, as well as trying to make his stories relevant to their lives and the demographic that we serve.  Youth Unity is an asset to have in our arsenal of services that we use to help young people.

Safeguarding Officer 

Thorpe Campus