Community Chiefs Case Study: Riley

Our Community Chiefs tell the story of Riley and how he developed in our Chiefs Engage programme.

Riley has been a valued member of the Exeter Chiefs Engage programme for a full year, and his journey has been nothing short of inspirational.

Before joining Engage, Riley faced significant challenges accessing mainstream education due to his behaviours and additional needs, with school attendance hovering at just 50%. Since becoming part of our programme, Riley has maintained an impressive 96% attendance!

In our supportive environment, Riley has truly flourished. He’s made lasting friendships, completed work placements, and successfully earned a sports qualification.

One of Riley’s standout achievements is discovering his talent and passion for cooking. Not only has he excelled in kitchen work placements, but he also regularly prepares meals for fellow students. Most recently, Riley helped cook a delicious Christmas meal for 20 people, including Chiefs Community staff!

Engage places a strong emphasis on reintegrating students into mainstream education, and Riley’s determination has paid off. He’s now attending St. Peter’s School two days a week—a massive milestone in his journey.

We couldn’t be prouder of Riley’s progress and are excited to see him continue to thrive. 

This is yet another example of how the Engage programme is changing lives in our community.