Nathan* was kicked out of his family home. His involvement in local gang culture and his criminal activity was beginning to put his family at risk, so he had to leave, but Nathan was not able to escape the gang lifestyle.

Homeless and with no place of refuge, Nathan came to Ty Bronna in 2021. Far from his hometown, the distance and time away from his gang affiliates gave Nathan the safe space to think about his future. Gradually he applied to a local college to complete his A-Levels. He then applied to university to study a BA (Hons).

But he was not yet completely free from his past life. Nathan was still under the court system for the previous offences he had committed whilst he was an active member of the gang. If he was found guilty, the verdict would prevent Nathan from pursuing the career he wanted. But things turned around and the court identified Nathan as a victim of exploitation rather than a perpetrator. Nathan soon entered one of Ty Bronna’s training flats and with intensive monitoring and support has remained disassociated with the criminal gang he once considered his family. He is now on track to complete his degree and is being considered for long term accommodation through the local authority.

Nathan was able to put his previous life behind him with the help and support he found at Ty Bronna but that wasn’t all. He was also able to repair the broken relationship with his family, now he and them rely on each other and provide a loving support network for each other.

*Not his real name