Oliver’s story: “Everyone understands me”

I joined Carlisle Youth Zone as a lot of people are different; I have a disability, I’m almost deaf in one ear and other people like me are here. I have anger issues and need to express my emotions and the Youth Zone helps. Animals don’t talk but show their emotions through facial expressions, which is like me. At school there are people with ADHD and Autism but I’m the only one who’s almost deaf in one ear – I feel embarrassed and I don’t like having to explain myself to people. At Carlisle Youth Zone I’m not the only one.

I felt comfortable when I first started Carlisle Youth Zone as everyone understands me. I made a lot of new friends and it’s a good place for me. Staff have a full conversation, not like some teacher who often give one-word answers. I also see people like me who have hearing aids. Carlisle Youth Zone is really nice and I get to share my ideas with people who I can trust. I can trust staff and can tell them what I like to do personally. I like working on big projects – like making a secret spy club. I have also learnt how to make visual effects which has inspired me to create a short 30-minute film based on King Kong, Peter Jackson’s King Kong is my favourite.

I can trust people at Carlisle Youth Zone and give my opinions/ideas which actually happen. One time I said we should do more drawing. The next week I was here, it happened. A lot has changed now I attend Youth Zone as I now like drama and love singing, there’s lots of fun stuff to do.