Cameron’s story

Cameron’s journey at Sanctuary Supported Living’s Weston Foyer began in 2019. He was referred to the young people service, which supports vulnerable and homeless 16-to-25-year-olds, by North Somerset Council after a series of family breakdowns left him unable to live at home. Initially, he struggled with isolation and a lack of direction. Engaging with others was difficult and he felt unsure about his future.

Things began to change when Cameron took an interest in Dame Kelly Holmes Trust’s Get on Track initiative. This programme, run by athlete mentors and funded by Sanctuary’s Sustainable Communities programme, is delivered across Sanctuary Supported Living’s young people services in Brighton, Basildon, Hartlepool, and Weston-Super-Mare. Designed to build connection and resilience, the initiative offers a range of health and wellbeing activities that support customers like Cameron in achieving their goals.

Before joining the programme, Cameron admits he felt lost. He recalls: “I felt very isolated and didn’t have much to do, which made me bored.” But with encouragement from his keyworker and support from Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, he began to push himself out of his comfort zone. Thanks to Paralympian Liz Johnson, he rediscovered a long-forgotten passion for horses, and she helped open doors for him to explore and pursue this passion more deeply.

Speaking about her time with Cameron, Liz said: “I really enjoyed mentoring Cam. It took him a while to come out of his shell, but he always showed up and gave 100% and when he did, we were able to talk about his passion for horses and help him see what opportunities he could aspire to. It’s been a pleasure to see him succeed in his placements and I can’t wait to hear what he goes on to do next.”

Cameron was introduced to Michelle Douglas, Head of Recruitment at the National Horse Society, who worked closely with him to arrange trial placements at various racing yards. Chatting to famous trainers and working one-on-one with racehorses not only encouraged Cameron to learn new skills but also instilled a renewed sense of purpose.

He says: “Before all this, I felt like I was stuck in a rut. But with the support from Sanctuary Supported Living and Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, I realised that I could do anything I wanted to do.

“The yard work was challenging, but I enjoyed learning to work in a fast-paced environment. Plus, the feedback I received from the team was incredibly affirming; they said I fit in so well that they had no concerns about leaving me alone with the horses. They appreciated how I got on with things and worked hard while I was there.

Horses are beautiful animals, and their calming presence brought me a sense of peace. The whole experience was eye-opening. It showed me what life could be like if I put in the effort. It made me believe in myself.

As well as the team praising Cameron’s hard work and dedication, they even offered him employment - a testament to how far he’s come. Now, Michelle is helping Cameron secure a live-in position at a racing yard, where he’ll take a big step and live independently while working towards his dream of becoming a racehorse groomer.

Looking ahead, Cameron is excited about what the future holds. He’s eager to continue his work with horses, and even explore other areas of the industry, such as farrier work or attending racing events. “It’s been a long road,” Cameron says, “but I’m so grateful for the chance to come out of my shell. I’ve learned that even when something feels scary, having the courage to push through can lead to incredible opportunities. I’m excited to prove myself and see just how much more I can achieve."