Ali* lives with his mum in Batley. He is well educated with a law degree. Unfortunately Ali suffered from a somatic type illness that prevented him from gaining employment. He couldn't eat or sleep and his confidence started to plunge. His mum was very worried about his health and found caring for him very difficult. His family were at the end of their tether and decided to contact Gateway to Care.

A Gateway Worker visited him at home. She told him about all the different support he could access in his locality. Ali decided he would benefit from the Supported Volunteering project.

At Ali's pace, he was introduced to his matched volunteering opportunity with a centre in Dewsbury. In time, and with support, Ali began to mix with the group and changed from a shy quiet person into someone able to dress-up in fancy dress and participate in the Halloween celebrations.

Ali is now working for a prestigious law firm in Leeds. He cites the Supported Volunteering project with turning his life around.

*Ali is not this person's real name.