Cameron’s story: If you put your mind to it, you can always achieve it

Trying to get the right support

Cameron, 23, first came to Centrepoint when he was 17 years old, after he experienced a breakdown in the relationship with his family at 16. He was forced to leave the family home and as a teenager, first went to the council to reach out for housing support. 

However, they told him they were unable to help him and that he would have to come back after a few weeks before they could offer him the support he needed. During this time, he was luckily able to stay with his auntie, and together they went through the documentation he needed to complete before the council would be able to make any referrals.

For Cameron, he felt so frustrated and confused by all the hoops he had to jump through so that, as a minor, he could get access to stable housing. Without the right information and guidance, he felt overwhelmed – especially filling in some challenging paperwork around his parents giving up their parental rights that he was made to sign before he could get any support. 

The information and process of applying for the support was so new to Cameron and isn't something that young people are taught in schools, so he was grateful to be able to navigate it with someone else. He felt that having a lesson or a part in the curriculum at a young age where it could be explained what to do in these situations would have helped him to have a bit more confidence and understanding of what to do and where to go.

“I went to the council, and they said we can refer you to this, that and the other but you have to come back after so many weeks. But my auntie took me in, and she helped me out with referrals because you had to have signed papers that your parents can’t take you back. I found the process really difficult as a young person, especially when it’s overwhelming at that point. I don’t think they made it clear enough as to where I could go.” 

“I think that there should be some curriculum in a school where they do a day where you get taught about some of the worst scenarios in life and they say if you need help, go to your council – even though the council only accepts you when you’re at a certain age. Obviously social services would become involved, but sometimes at a young kid they wouldn’t know that themselves. Whereas a more experienced person might understand what they need to do to help themselves.”

He knows that for a lot of young people they might not be believed by the council when they reach out for support – thinking that it can’t be possible for someone so young to be in the situation they were in. He felt fortunate that the council did believe him but even still, having to wait weeks for support was confusing for him. Having his auntie there to support him and navigate such complicated systems helped to take some pressure off as they completed the forms and applications together. 

“And when you’re young, you don’t really get believed as much.”

“I got believed but it was a case of not knowing where to go and not understanding what to do. When I went to the council, I didn’t understand why I didn’t get accepted straight away. And told my auntie and she sat me down and together we did the form for my homeless shelter application.”

Moving to Centrepoint

When he turned 17, and after he completed the documentation with the council, Cameron had a meeting with Centrepoint and was quickly accepted into a supported accommodation. After moving in, he started in one flat and after taking some time to focus on himself and develop some independent living skills, he was moved into another flat nearby, where he could continue building his confidence. 

“When I went to Centrepoint, I learnt to build myself up and then I got moved into another flat with them where I could learn a bit more about independence.”

When Cameron moved to Centrepoint, he began working with Lee, a support and progression officer, who was there help with any questions and give him some guidance as he was moving towards his goals or he was support when things felt a bit more tough and he needed some support. Lee was also here to steer Cameron towards being more financially independent and together, they were able to look at his finances and help him to budget as he entered into the next stage of his independence, building up vital skills that he could take with him as he moved on.

“Centrepoint helped me with building myself up. I had motivation to going to work but there were always the bad days and then the good days. My key worker, Lee would always say, you can’t stop now can you. You’ve already made this step and with my money and finances, I was able to get help with budgeting and how to use my money wisely.”

Cameron also worked closely with the jobs and education team to help him to get the support he needed to get his qualifications. At this time, he had begun a flourishing career as a chef but in order to enter into the next stage of his education, he needed to get his academic certifications. He was finding it hard to pass some of his exams in maths and English and explained this to Lee who put him in touch with a Centrepoint trainer, who could offer some personalised support to boost his confidence and get him ready to sit the exams.

“They give you options for work and they try to encourage you to build up your confidence and your independence. They’re always offering support with education and if you know what specific career path, they’ll give you that support. So, with that, I was always able to work towards my cheffing career. And when I was struggling with my maths and English, I was able to get extra support within that. They helped me to build up for my exams.”

As Cameron came to Centrepoint at 17, having a team around him who could help with preparing him enter into the adult world allowed him to develop those skills in a safe environment – knowing that he didn’t need to get it right first time and that Lee would be on hand if he needed him. 

“You need more help with preparing for the future and preparing for adulting. It’s one of them where it feels easier said than done.”

Lee and Cameron have developed a close relationship of trust and support whilst working together over these last 5 years. As someone who is very goal orientated, they made sure to set clear and attainable points to reach to mark each step Cameron has taken and keep on with his forward momentum. Having this structure and a plan to work towards has helped Cameron to continue towards his dreams and get him to the place he is in now. 

“Lee just encourages me – we always set a goal plan, and I have my own goal plan as well. So, from that we look at making sure that I’m exceeding that goal and if I don’t exceed it, then that’s on me. It’s important to set a goal and work towards it – whether it takes a few days, a few weeks, you’ve got to get the ball rolling and then you’re going to get somewhere. If you don’t start that now, it’s never going to start.”

Throughout his time of being supported by Centrepoint he has been working full-time, which is something he has attributed his motivation and drive to during what could have been an emotionally and mentally challenging time in his life. Having clear goals to work towards and knowing that he had a fixed place he wanted to reach, meant that he could focus his energy into getting to where he needs to be.

“I was working whilst I was going through all of this, so I was able to maintain myself and distract myself – with not knowing where to go or anything that can depress you. But since I was constantly working, I was able to distract myself. But when there’s no motivation or no ball rolling, I can understand why people can struggle with their mental health.”

He recognizes that his journey might not have been simple and that there have a been a lot of challenges that he has come up against, but having that support from Lee and his own internal drive, meant that he has what he needs to reach his goals.

“I didn’t let it affect me. If you put your mind to it, you can always achieve it. You might have to go over the hill or through it or around it, but if you don’t ask for support, you don’t get.” 

As Cameron had a clear goal to reach and was consistently showing Lee his determination to reach a certain point and had developed a range of independent living skills, they began to look at council properties for him to bid on. Having that support to guide him through that system, and to be on hand if he had questions around paying bills or getting set up, meant that he could focus on moving forward and taking this huge step. 

He felt that without the support of the team there were quite a few vital bits of information that could have been added to the school curriculum which would have helped him, and other young people, as they transition into the world of work and living independently.

“From there, Centrepoint helped me to get onto the council list and then apply for bidding to a property, which to be fair, I think Centrepoint gives the most advice and the most help with that. I don’t know where you would learn it anywhere else. Same with things like tax and national insurance – that’s a bit of a jump scare when you go into work! I think there are quite a few things on the curriculum that they miss out at school.”

Cameron’s drive and achievements were recognised in 2021, when he was nominated for and won the Centrepoint Career Progression Award, highlighting what he had been able to do through his hard work and where he was in his journey at that time. 

Being recognised in this way has helped as a motivator for him and has helped to keep him moving forward, even when things have felt tough.

“I won the Career Progression Award, which Lee put my name forward for, since I was able to overcome everything and not let anything affect me. I’m very grateful for when I got given the award and from that I just kept working towards next life challenges.”

Moving into his own flat

After living at a Centrepoint home for a few years, Cameron soon felt comfortable and ready to get a place of his own. His flat has become his sanctuary – somewhere he can relax and enjoy his space after a long day at work or college.

“I’m making it a destination point where I can come back and recover after work.”

When he moved in, he applied for a Centrepoint voucher to help him make the space his own. He spent the money on getting some paint to make his space a blank canvas before bringing his own style and taste into the flat. He’s taking his time to decorate the flat, not rushing anything and making sure that every choice he makes is exactly what he wants.

“I made my flat a blank canvas – it’s all white with a feature wall. I got a few tubs greys, and I mixed all together into one tub. I really like it so far and there’s no point rushing the decorating, the turtle always wins the race.”

Alongside buying some paint, he bought a few items for his kitchen and bathroom to help him get settled and make the space his own. 

“I got a voucher and I got a few bathroom essentials and a few buckets of paints – I didn’t realise how much paint I would need! Then I got some frying pans which was really helpful as well.”

Growing his passion for cooking

Cameron first realised his love for cooking as a child, when he started baking and realised a real skill that could take him far. At 14, he was scouted whilst at college to focus his attention on cooking and developing his skills, and at 15 he was taken to work in a kitchen to really hone his abilities and get him ready to take on the responsibility of being a chef. 

As soon as he moved into the kitchen, he knew that this was the place for him – enjoying the hustle and bustle of working in a restaurant which helped him to develop his cooking skills and feel energised and excited.

“When I were young, about 10 or 11 years old, I used to bake quite a lot. Then I got home-schooled from 11 and I was just a little baker. I went to college when I was 14 and the head of department noticed my skills and dedication, therefore they took me on at 15 in an actual catering & hospitality course. From there, I just kept expanding and I enjoyed it so much! I prefer running around like a headless chicken.” 

From being at college, Cameron has taken up every opportunity to learn more about food – finishing up at work to then learning more to find out more and make sure he can push himself and the food that he makes.

“Even when I’m at home, I’ll just learn about it. I’ve always wanted to learn more about food – like a tomato for example, you can get around 11 food profiles/textures from it.”

He sees this behaviour modelled in some of the chefs he likes to follow, knowing that they take the time to learn from each other and develop their skills in different areas so they can be the best they can be.

“There’s always something to learn – like Gordon Ramsey and Marco Pierre-White, they’re always learning every day. No one is better than each other – they learn from each other and then take the best out of each person and adapt it to a way that works for you.”

He feels grateful to have found his passion so early in life so that he could have a guiding light to take him forward as he navigates through working. For him, he has always wanted to do something that he enjoys, and he hopes that other people can find the things that makes them happy that they can dedicate their time to.

“I feel a bit lucky knowing what I wanted to do because some people don’t know what they want to do. Personally, you gotta do what you enjoy, whether that’s working in a few places to find what you enjoy the most, whether it leads you to being the manager or whatever you’ve got to start from the bottom to excel to the top.”

Whilst he was finishing up his qualifications at college and working as a chef, what brings him joy on a day-to-day basis is seeing the impact of the food he has made for someone – knowing just how much they are going to enjoy it. He loves every moment of making the food, from preparing the meal to plating the dish, even being known to use tweezers to place micro-herbs as a garnish.

“What brings me joy is making a dish and just knowing that when it gets placed down in front of a customer, they’re going to smile at it.”

Wanting to give back

Now that Cameron has settled into his new space, is working and has taken on additional studies, he is thinking about what the future might hold for him. After developing his passion for cooking, he wants to use his skills to not only support other young people but to give back to Centrepoint.

He has plans to start work on a range of cookery books which give advice for making meals on a budget and to cater to a range of different dietary requirements. He hopes that these books could support young people who are learning to cook and can help them to be inventive with the food they have in their cupboards to create delicious and nutritious meals. 

“I’m making a few recipe books where it’s a book for people who don’t have much money. I want to make three different books for people who don’t have much money and one for vegans and people who are gluten free. But I want to make one for Centrepoint – I would rather do something that helps someone else than make recipe books to just earn money from.”

Cameron, who lives in South Yorkshire, recognises that there are a lot of people in the local community who are struggling to get by and that there are many organisations in the area who are making food to offer to those in need. However, cooking food on mass can often be quite expensive and so he wants to urge restaurants to donate excess stock, to make sure that food doesn’t go to waste and people can access a hot meal, if they need it. 

“In the community there’s a few places that feed the homeless but that can be a bit pricey for the community. So compared to people donating food, which is good and kind, I think restaurants could give a bit of food and support to community centres within the area.”

He’s even begun to think about what he could do to offer additional support – using his skills in baking to benefit and support the local community.

“I’m experimenting with different types of pies; I can then donate them to homelessness charities and community centres.”

For Cameron, he’s taken the time he needs to reach his goals and is now in a place where he has his own flat and is working in his dream career. Based on what he has learnt and the journey he has taken to where he is now, he suggests that other young people don’t rush into things and make sure to set their goals and stick to them, so that they know they are making the right decision. In Cameron’s life, having these targets to reach has meant that he can stay on track and things don’t feel too overwhelming to reach.

“Don’t rush into anything – you need to create a list of what you need to do and what you want to do. Without that you’ll become overwhelmed and think that you might never be able to do it.”

Cameron’s drive and passion can be seen in every aspect of his life – from making his flat his perfect sanctuary, to his unwavering dedication to working as a chef. We wish him all the best as he finishes his extra qualifications and continues smashing every goal he sets.