Meet Callum
Callum was referred to Railway Children after using the train network to run away.
When Youth Practitioner Amelia first met him, Callum had stopped attending school, following a difficult time and being bullied.
Socially, he was very isolated and, while he couldn’t face school, he also didn’t want to stay at home as home didn’t feel like a safe place, mentally or physically. All of this meant that Callum’s mental health was in a fragile place.
Turning point
In Callum’s own words, “Things started getting better when I was actually left with nowhere to go and felt homeless. I went into the train station, where I was approached by a Northern member of rail staff who kindly helped me and went with me to meet with officers from the British Transport Police. It was sad and scary, that I didn’t have anywhere to go.
In Callum’s own words: “Things started getting better when I was actually left with nowhere to go and felt homeless. I went into the train station, where I was approached by a Northern member of rail staff who kindly helped me and went with me to meet with officers from the British Transport Police. It was sad and scary that I didn’t have anywhere to go.”
“I went into a hostel for a few nights but then, through working together, Railway Children and social workers helped me find a place to call home.
“Throughout it all, Amelia* has helped me in so many ways. She’s helped me seek further education, helped me rebuild family relationships, supported me with my diet and social life, and has just had a hugely positive impact on the state of my mental health.
“The youth practitioners at Railway Children are very invested in young people. They’re friendly, approachable, nice and easy to talk to.”
Using his voice
When Amelia first started supporting Callum, he didn’t want anything to do with Youth Platform – Railway Children’s youth participation platform for young people to get involved in the work of the charity.
“I wasn’t leaving my house and wasn’t very sociable,” he says.
However having now attended a couple of youth participation events, Callum is keen to attend more. “The events are very fun and helpful for someone like me who wants a career on the railway,” he says.
“During youth participation events, I’ve met a range of different people – from other young people working with Railway Children to youth practitioners. I’ve also had conversations with interesting people from train companies like LNER [London North Eastern Railway] and Avanti [West Coast] who have advised and guided me around careers on the railway.”
Looking to the future
As Callum looks to the future, he states that “everything is much better now. I’ve got a safe place with foster carers that I can call home and, with support from Railway Children, I’m now accessing a college course that will help me lead to my dream of working on the railway.
“My mental health is so much better.”
Supported by Amelia, Callum is also planning some independent travel on the trains to new cities and see extended family.
“I’ve really seen Callum’s confidence increase,” says Amelia. “Through positive reinforcement and encouragement, he has really stepped out and tried new things, and his confidence has really grown as a result.”
“With help from Railway Children, I feel safe and comfortable travelling on my own again,” says Callum. “I have the British Transport Police number drilled into my head! So whenever I feel unsafe, I know I can text 61016 for further support.”
Will you give a young person like Callum the support they need to thrive?
£19 could pay for an hour of one-to-one support for a vulnerable child or young person when they need it most.
Names changed and models used to protect identities.
