HITZ Programme Proving a Great Success for Chiefs Community

Exeter Chiefs Community team have been experiencing some fantastic success with the young people they are helping as part of the HITZ programme.

To best represent the positives of the programme and the development journey it can assist young people in completing, the Chiefs Community team have produced two individual case studies.

Liam Prescott:

When Liam Prescott joined the programme, he was a closed off, angry young man with what appeared to be little prospect in life and experiencing consistent battles with the abuse of drugs. He was quite disrespectful towards his mother, at times resulting in a breakdown of communication and their relationship.

Academically, Liam had checked out and had very little interest in gaining an education and this was apparent in his learning efforts due to his absence of engagement and an obvious lack of desire to complete work. At times, Liam presented himself in a disrespectful manner to staff and some other students on the programme too.

Unfortunately, all these factors combined meant Liam had many challenges ahead in order to get back on track and find his way in the wider world. Concern around behaviours in many scenarios changed and Liam became increasingly erratic and a downward spiral looked certain.

However, here at HITZ, we saw something in Liam that it seems others had not. We stuck with him every step of the way. Local Exeter businessman, Andy Bassett, who volunteers at HITZ twice a week, had identified a huge amount of potential in Liam and offered him an apprenticeship in roofing and cladding with his business, Progressive Systems.

At the time, this was a big risk for Andy to take but Hitz is delighted to say this risk has most definitely paid off. After a slow start and not without the odd blip, Liam is now working as an apprentice for Progressive Systems, his attitude and behaviours have improved drastically, and he now has a purpose.

Liam has also been clean of drugs for the past two years, which is an excellent achievement – improving his health, moods and focus. In addition, we are delighted that his family relationships have recovered. We have also recently been informed he has been nominated for ‘National Apprentice of Year Award’. We look forward to seeing the outcome!

Ronin Walter:

Ronin Walter was born prematurely with a rare genetic syndrome which effected his limbs and eyes resulting in many operations. As he grew, he was diagnosed with autism, sensory processing disorder and hypermobility syndrome.

His parents were told he would likely fail to meet his milestones and he would be unlikely to manage in mainstream school or fit into society. He has defied these odds and proved others wrong.

Exeter Chiefs Hitz has been one of the most amazing experiences for Ronin and life changing. His parents hadn’t heard of the programme before, but it has been an inspiration to him.

He has engaged in activities he would never have before and has not wanted to miss a day, even when he’s not feeling well and tired from the previous day’s activities. The tutor, officer, other supportive adults and other students have embraced him, and he finally feels it is somewhere he belongs where others don’t judge him and understand him. His social mood and skills have improved immensely in the short time he has been there.

His school life was very tough and a huge challenge for him in respects of progression and learning owing to his autism. He sees the world so uniquely. He was treated differently by not only his peers but also his teachers which only added to his social interactive ability and trust that not only impacted his learning but also his ability to make friends and establish any true relationships.

His father reported that he had been fortunate enough to be able to work closely with Hitz in a role with the police youth team. He has seen first-hand not only the enormous benefits and opportunity that Hitz has provided the young people who have been through the programme but also the positive changes that they make with their life due to being part of this team.

His father said: “In relation to Ronin, I can honestly say that I am at a loss for words regarding the extent of his emotional and social progress. Ronin is now almost unrecognisable as the person that he once was, in a good way. He has matured and watching him interact with his peers he seems so much more comfortable in others’ company as well as with adults and new people that he has not previously met.”

Ronin is now confident in his own abilities and seeks to push his physical boundaries. Ronin’s rare genetic syndrome means that physical activity can leave him in pain and discomfort. Regardless of this he has pushed himself to join in with the rest of the group in all the physical activities such as taking part in the bleep test, regular delivery treks as well as regular football and rugby games. All these activities leave him very tired and in pain however he refuses to take a day off to recuperate as he does not want to let the team down or miss out on opportunity.

Ronin’s father added: “Looking back, we were at a loss with regards to where Ronin could progress to from high school into further education. As a family we were desperate as we could not think where Ronin would fit in. It hadn’t even dawned on me with regards to Hitz, perhaps as I had been working closely with the team.”

“It didn’t dawn on me until I was referring another child. This child reminded me in every way of Ronin, and it was this that made me realise that Ronin was in fact eligible for the programme. From Ronin’s first session his interest and commitment has only grown. Hitz has been a life changing effect not only for Ronin but also for the rest of the family. Ronin is progressing faster educationally and emotionally and we as a family are bonding more due to the fact that Ronin is maturing and able to regulate himself.”

“We all want to send our thanks and gratitude to the Hitz community who have embraced our son as one of their own and made him feel included and valued.”