On The Bus

Matt has known ‘B’ on and off since he was 7, through his attendance at children’s clubs with local churches and then an open access youth club. B then took part in the Respect Burton Project for a year through High School before being offered mentoring once a week via the school’s inclusion hub. Now in year 11, school staff felt he needed an opportunity to chat honestly with someone. His living circumstances had changed and he was struggling with staying focused at school. At first B had said ‘no’ to this offer, but once he found out it would be Matt, he agreed to give it a go. I asked B why he changed his mind?

“I feel comfortable around Matt as I’ve known him for ages. I didn’t want to talk to a new person, it scares me and I feel anxious. I wouldn’t have been open with them.”

During COVID Matt and B have continued to meet up even more as Matt was able to support with transport to and from School. B decided he wanted to be more independent with this – and so conquering the local buses became a focus for their time together. In a small town, our bus services are not the best, especially during these times. You have to wait for up to an hour to change bus routes in the town centre. If you then add in anxiety and an overwhelming feeling of you not being able to manage, this creates an even bigger mountain to climb. So, they took it a step at a time. Firstly planning their journey. Then catching the bus together for the first half – then adding in the second part and so on. Until it was time for B to go solo.

Matt said, “This was a huge step for B. It’s been great to be able to encourage him and give him the confidence to have a go. It felt quite exciting following him on the bus by car when he decided to go for it on his own. Knowing this was a mix of anxiety and excitement for him made me as an onlooker feel nervous. I was rooting for him, but now it was up to him.”

B explains to me that he completed the first

part of the journey fine on his own, but then accidentally got onto the wrong bus next as it was early. He says, “when the bus turned the corner my heart dropped.” Unbeknown to B, Matt had been following him in his car the whole time and had seen the bus turn. Ringing B, he was able to advise him to get off at the next stop and he’d pick him up. “I felt so relieved,” B says. “I was so happy Matt was stalking me!”

We are so proud of B and what he has achieved. As I thanked him for his time I pondered out loud – “I wonder if God is looking out for you, you know.” “That’s a bit weird,” he said, “but maybe.”