Johnny's story: the staff are like my family
![An illustration of our amazing staff](https://www.togethertrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/inline_image_full_width/public/Insta%20Stories_Brand-%20Team_1.jpg?itok=FKsQpc2r)
Johnny was in our care 15 years ago. We spoke to him about his relationships with staff and how they have made an impact on his life.
I was in several different care homes before I came to the Together Trust, once there I met a lot of amazing staff who took great pride in their work and certain staff members made a difference for me. They didn’t know it at the time, and nor did I, but they were influencing my future.
I’ve always been more creative and technically minded. When I was younger, I was renowned for skipping school. But instead of just bunking off, I would skip school to build websites at the library. Kevin, one of the staff, came into the library one day and watched what I was doing. He recognised that I was doing something I loved. Instead of being angry, the staff realised I’d found something to concentrate on and get my head into.
Kevin bought me my first domain name and web hosting package - I think on his own card. He kept paying for it after I left care until I was about 19 or so. He didn’t have to do that. Now I have a successful business of my own building websites.
I’ve always known the phone number at the home off by heart. I called for two or three years when I left but then I got a bit embarrassed and I got afraid to call. The years went by and I thought I’d just call them on the off chance because I wanted to show them how far I’d come. I didn’t have anyone else to tell and they are like my family.
When you leave care you need constant support, more than just a social worker coming once every couple of weeks because you have nobody. You need someone who will push you to get a job. Even just take you out for a drive a few hours a week to have a chat. You need someone that cares about you.
Debbie, the manager is like a mother to me. Well, she tells me off like she is my mother! Whenever I get anything new or achieve something, the first person I call is Debbie. I’ve got a lot of respect and love for Debbie, Vicky, Maxine and Kevin.
I come to Stockport all the time, it’s like I’m chasing nostalgia. I drive there to get the same feelings as when I was younger to try and make sense of everything back then. I spent three years chasing my past and it was the best thing I ever did. I answered questions I had and understood how much people did for me all that time ago.
When I got my files, it made me respect the staff more. Some of it was hard to read, but it made me realise that they understood me, and they knew what I was going through. There’s a lot of work that goes into being a children’s residential social worker.
Now I have five beautiful children, a loving home, a successful business, good friends and family and a wife who tells me I have made all her dreams come true. My life stands at a place of contentment and pride.
If you have a story to share about your care experience you can email Ali our Communications and Campaigns Manager and she'll arrange a time to chat: ali.gunn@togethertrust.org.uk