"When I came to NAViGO, I was lacking a sense of purpose.
At that time other young adults were going off to university or starting a job. However, after leaving school and college due to the bullying I endured, I felt like I was lost.
I didn’t feel like I fit in anywhere.
After my own experience with poor mental health, I knew I always wanted to help others. The YMCA Foyer put me through Mental Health First Aid training as I’d been living there for almost two years. It was at this time that I was introduced to NAViGO and I began my journey as a volunteer.
I started volunteering for the Nexus Youth Forum , helping to plan and run sessions. Since then, I have gone through the Resilience Lab training from Off The Record and I hope to start delivering the training myself soon.
I still don’t completely know what I want to do in the future but I do know for sure that I want it to be within NAViGO.
Since volunteering, I have overcome many barriers due to my low self-esteem and confidence.
Not only that, but I have finally found a place where I feel like I belong."
*Update: in November 2021, Courtney became NAViGO's new Young Adult Peer Coach supporting young adults to access our services. Well done Courtney!