In September 2007 Craig enrolled onto an Art and Graphic Design course at Sussex Downs College. But due to his attendance, behaviour, and health concerns he was unable to complete, and subsequently removed from the course. Craig has epilepsy, and Type 1 diabetes which need medicating daily and monitoring. He was placed in foster care after his mother felt she could no longer care or take responsibility for him due to his needs.

Craig went on in 2008 to attend the Princes Trust but has again been unable to complete due to health concerns and through missing parts of the course. Much of his poor attendance was related to hospital visits as he was experiencing regular fits due to poor self-management of his medication. At times Craig’s behaviour also became erratic and aggressive towards others.

Craig was referred to the Opt-IN programme run by Sussex Downs College in January 2009 by Children’s Services. Craig started opt-IN with the hope to get back on to the Art and Graphic Design course for the 2009/10 academic year. He has to been with Sussex Downs College for just over six months, making him one of the founding members of the opt-IN project, something which Craig is very proud of.  

In that time the changes and positive steps forward Craig has made have been astounding, especially to all that previously knew him. His confidence in sessions has blossomed through the strong relationships he has built with staff and students alike. Although he still finds completing work difficult, he is now able to communicate what he needs and challenge himself to try it – with success notably on most occasions!

Craig does require one to one support due to his impaired motor and cognitive skills, but is surprisingly quick witted and able to articulate himself in written or typed sentence well. The major change has been seeing a smiling Craig, where originally he was very reserved and withdrawn he now actively joins in with others with a smile on his face. Craig has also tried new things, something that initially he would refuse to do, particularly basketball, football, and badminton. These are all physical activities that Craig finds extremely difficult due to the high medication that he is on and the impact that has upon his co-ordination, motor skills, and balance. 

From the outset of working with Craig he has proved himself to have impeccable punctuality, with 100% attendance since February. He is always on time despite travelling one of the furthest distances to college, and is a model student for his reliability in direct contrast to previous courses that he has been on roll.

Craig really has come very far, and this is down to his own motivation and commitment to making a change. The main change has been his handle on his own medication for his diabetes and epilepsy, from regularly fitting in college and being absent due to hospital admissions, to not having fitted once at college since February 2009. He regularly checks his bloods and injects insulin at the appropriate times with little to no input from staff. This has resulted in no erratic or threatening behaviours towards others and is a respected member of the group amongst his peers and staff.

Craig has now, with the help of opt-IN staff, applied, attended, and been successful at interview for entry back on to the Art and Graphic Design course he set his goals for back in January 2009. This is full credit to Craig, who presented himself well at interview and completed the assignments demanded of him to assess whether he could now cope with the course he originally was removed from. Due to the colleges concerns regarding Craig’s health and abilities the interview panel was large and process highly involved. Craig is now looking forward to starting the course he has dreamt of a second chance to complete, and finally get his life back on track.

Craig says; “Opt-IN helped me to achieve my goal of getting back on to a full time Art course  and now have the opportunity to make something of myself.”