Ikari, 24, a care leaver, was referred on to Aspire Higher in 2021. At the time he was suffering from depression and anxiety and although he wanted to get into the creative industries he was unsure of how to go about it. 

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We matched him with artsdepot, an award-winning cultural hub, where he received a paid work placement and gained technicalskills as well as insight into the lighting, audio and behind the scenes production. He said: "As well as gaining experience and knowledge, the work meant I had something to hang onto and return to and something to hope for."

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The opportunity led to Ikari gaining a job as a part time Visitors assistant and casual technical support staff. Through the scheme we also supported him with work experience in the technical events industry, and after a successful placement at Rockit productions he has been offered a job in the tech team.

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He said: "None of this would have happened if it weren’t for Live Unlimited setting up the initiative to create career and life changing opportunities to pursue during my time of transition. Live Unlimited have provided a sense of stability and a place to reach out and keep up the trends of whatever industry, me as a care leaver, desires to pursue. 

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“Of course I have to take credit for making the most of what has been offered to me, but that wouldn’t have been the case if it wasn’t for Live Unlimited to help me achieve my goals. "I feel like a success story and in way, it makes me smile that I did what was able to do with what I had to the best of my ability."