We take pride in fulfilling our mission of using real life experiences to enhance and facilitate change in young people and the professionals who support them. Having over 25 years’ experience we have seen how the economic changes have put a strain on many of the support services available. Here at PCS we have maintained our capacity to continue to support those most in need in a variety of settings from Schools, Residential Homes, Alternative Provisions, Prison and Outreach Projects.
We are Person Centred Strategies, and we specialise in supporting those with complex and profound social, emotional and behavioural needs.
Where it all began
The story of PCS started over 25 years ago when two leading members of the team Ian Calder and Dave Gregory used their past experiences to turn their life around. They wanted their life experiences to be used positively to help young people who were facing similar life challenges and to influence the journey of those who had already chosen the wrong path. With this drive and willingness to help young people they became part of the original founders of the Manchester MAGS (Multi-Agency Gang Strategy).
MAGS’ response brought the professionals together into one team; such as the police, probation officers, social and youth workers plus educational officers. Their mission was to gain the best possible outcomes for all young people. The reflection of this work and the positive impact it was having on the young people ultimately built a demand for the continuation of such a highly impacting programme.
Ian and Dave knew they had to do something, they wanted to help those highly challenged young people to be the best they could be, they wanted them to know there is a way out of wrong choices and it’s never too late to change their life journey. It was at this point they enrolled the help of their late dear friend Joanne Simpson and the 3 of them together devised a mentoring programme which developed into The Challenging Me Programme. Keeping it bespoke, real and relevant the team have made it accessible to all young people. Ian and Dave continue to lead and train mentors and professionals to ensure consistency in gaining the best outcomes for young people.
