Growing up in foster care, it was easy for Andrew to end up in trouble or get involved with alcohol and drugs. At the young age of 10, he became trapped in the world of using illegal substances and felt like wherever he went, trouble followed.
After continuing in this dangerous circle for years after he left the car system, the birth of Andrew’s son made him realise he wanted to change his behaviour. However, he found it hard to find suitable job opportunities due to his previous offending history.
Andrew decided to go to college, where he enrolled on different maintenance courses and learned new skills.
Shortly after college, Andrew got a job with Forward’s Blue Sky Services as a grounds maintenance operative. He was sub-contracted to work for councils, maintaining different grounds such as allotments and parks. On his role at Blue Sky, Andrew said:
“I really liked the idea that Blue Sky Services helps people in hard situations to find work and stop re-offending.
“My life is amazing now. It used to feel chaotic, but today, things seem smooth and organised. The pressure of getting on your feet and finding a job can hit anyone, but it’s important to look for options and not get down in the dumps about it.
“If you come across a job with an organisation like Forward, take it!”
