Catch 22 believe that every young person deserves a second chance.

Thank you for taking your time to read my blog. My name is Molly and for my Citizenship GSCE I have chosen to advocate Catch 22. As a quote from their website “Catch22 is a local charity with a national reach. We work with young people and others who find themselves in seemingly impossible situations.” After reading my blog I hope you feel more informed about Catch 22. They help in a variety of areas including;

• Substance misuse
• Family support
• Health and well-being
• Education and training, including apprenticeships
• Offender rehabilitation
• Community activities
• Leaving care and advisory services
• Housing services.

So what do they do?

Catch 22 works in over 150 towns and cities, helping thousands of people in difficult situations. Many people find themselves unable to make a better life for themselves or make the right decisions. This is where Catch 22 comes in. Each year Catch 22 help more than 36,000 people to get their lives back on track. Here are some statistics;

• 9 out of 10 young people we helped with housing were settled in their own accommodation after six months.
• 7 out of 10 young people who completed our learning programmes found work or went on to find further study within one month.
• 9 out of 10 young people who had been involved in crime didn’t re-offend while on our programmes.
• 8 out of 10 young people said that with our help they found new goals and ambitions.

An example of Catch 22’s work is projected through Joao’s work;

Joao was homeless, often in trouble with the police and using class A drugs - all this before he was 18 years old. When he tried himself to reduce his use of the drug he became twitchy, hyperactive and likely to kick off at the slightest thing. Joao says he was mentally unstable and had no real relationships with his family. His social worker put him in contact with Catch22’s substance misuse service, 24/7 in Hampshire. Joao said 'Catch22 staff helped me calm down by encouraging me to focus on more positive things. Catch22 is always there, and you need that when you're coming off drugs. They were at the end of a phone and always prepared to help me through the difficult moments of recovery.' He no longer uses drugs and Joao’s life is now far more stable and less chaotic. 'I’ve got somewhere I can call a home. I have enrolled at the local college to study Aviation Operations. I also have a far better relationship with my family and have just got back from visiting my mum in Barcelona.'

How can you help?

There are many ways you can help including; fundraise, volunteer, take part in events or even sign up the news letter via email. Here is a link that you may find useful;
http://www.catch-22.org.uk/

If you could please answer a few questions and post your responses below and also if you can please state your location, I would be deeply grateful;

1. Did you know about Catch 22 before you read this blog?
2. Do you feel more informed after reading this blog?
3. Would you now consider financially support Catch 22?