Hear Aimee’s story and how she thinks young person support services at Riverside have improved thanks to co-production.

Advocating for those in need can sometimes feel like an uphill battle when it shouldn’t have to be. Today, I want to share one such success story – a testament to the power of perseverance, determination and collaboration.

“From starting in a place where I could not see any positives, to now preparing myself to go out to make a difference for people in our community.”

A difficult childhood, followed by years of addiction, homelessness and mental health problems, 50-year-old George Smith has had his fair share of ups and downs. But after 25 years of living on the edge, George has turned his life around. And, through Riverside’s GROW trainee programme, he’s using his own experience to help others. This is George’s story.

Lyreco have been amazing in supporting the Street Engagement Hub by using their social value commitment to employ George. Without this commitment George would not have a job and the Street Engagement Hub would not have capacity to see so many vulnerable people, as there would not have been enough staff to cope with the demand.