After over 10 years of unemployment, Thomas discovers the confidence to find work through taking part in Jack Drum Arts’ ROAD programme.

 30-year old Thomas is originally from Crook, and has a passion for food.

 He attended college to study food technology in 2008, but left due to bullying and difficult circumstances at home. He continued living with his Mum, and describes feeling:

"I just didn’t care, locked myself away for ages, wasn’t bothered about anything.”

 Thomas suffered with poor mental health, and became reclusive.

 Over the following 10 years, he took part in various work programmes, but with little success.

“I felt awful, and I was thinking ‘what’s the point, is anything going to change?!’”

During this time he encountered homophobia, and often felt vulnerable, frustrated and at a loss.

 Thomas’ ROAD to success

 Thomas first came across Jack Drum Arts in 2018, when he was recommended to attend the Active Citizens programme by his advisor at the Job Centre, which led to his participation in ROAD.

 ROAD proved key in Thomas’ transition into work. He said:

“It helped get me out of the house, it helped build confidence, I was meeting people, I was having a really good time!”

 Alongside ROAD, Thomas began a voluntary job in the cafe at St Catherine’s Community Centre.

“From that, along with ROAD, that massively built my confidence up to the point where I was actually applying for jobs, getting interviews, and that eventually did lead into a job.”

Thomas is now in paid employment, working in a kitchen in X Care Home.

Becoming a ‘regular’ at Jack Drum Arts

Since participating in ROAD, he has volunteered many times for Jack Drum Arts - including working on Crook Winter Light Parade in 2019 and 2021, and was an integral part of moving and rebuilding the Jack Drum Arts allotment across 2018 and 2019.

Thomas has also worked on many other valuable projects within his locality outside of Jack Drum Arts.

Thomas is continuing to take part in activities at Jack Drum Arts, and is currently a participant in the ‘NOW’ Social Prescribing programme.