Role model
As I grew up and learnt about right and wrong and life in general it was very important to have a role model. One that I could go to and talk about the laughter and squealing in the playground and loud screaming voices in the classroom. Adding to the worry and the fear in my head.
And then I go home. It’s like trying to pull a grape skin over a tomato. Shouting in my face, Shhht, I want to hear this doesn’t help you socialise. TV and music can become your role model. When there is a lot of pain, fear and living inside your head. It’s dangerous struggling to adapt with friends, worried about fitting in, no one to go home to speak to about it. Walking way a lisp and talking way a limp.
Feeling worthless, no confidence, drugs dig you an early grave, drink burns your life away, makes you lonely and keeps you on the edge from dealing with things, worried about actions and consequences on the outside. Very loud on the inside, it’s like the largest freight train in the world with no driver.
As we go on in life, hold them, don’t hold them down.
As my adult life continues everything intensifies and jumping from pillar to post helps in ways but not the ways that matter. A learner driver needs a pilot.
I’m still inside my head, so confused by the past trauma and decisions that affects me still in day-to-day life. Trains needs a captain.
I’m still trying to forgive and forget. The harsh fact is that only I can keep the smile on my face and hope that my soul finds the mate that holds me. Every plane needs a co-pilot.
Because if I get held down, I will surely drown in a love that’s not real, no matter what I feel.
A ship needs a pirate in stormy waters.
A soul with no mate is a lonely race to face.
HOLD ME, DON’T HOLD ME DOWN
This information was updated 24 September 2025
This announcement is on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Future Pathways is funded by the Scottish Government and has been running since 2016.When a service has been running a long time, a review takes place. A review of Future Pathways was carried out earlier this year. This was to check how well the service is working. You can find out more about the review below.
You can read the summary report at the link below.
Who runs Future Pathways?
Future Pathways is delivered by the In Care Survivors Alliance. The Alliance is made up of four organisations. These are:
- Glasgow Psychological Trauma Service (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde)
- Health in Mind
- Penumbra Mental Health
- Scottish Government
Why was there a review?
Scottish Government Ministers asked for this review to better understand how Future Pathways is working , and to see how the service could improve. This is a normal part of making sure that a service is working properly.
Who carried out the review?
An independent organisation called BDO were asked to do the review. BDO are finance and business experts.
When did the review happen?
The review started in November 2024. BDO’s final report was made available 1 September 2025.
What happened during the review?
BDO were asked to look at two parts of Future Pathways work:
- Part 1: Governance – This means looking at the decisions Future Pathways make. The In Care Survivors Alliance runs Future Pathways. BDO looked at how the Alliance works and the decisions it makes.
- Part 2: How Future Pathways supports people – BDO looked at how Future Pathways supports the people that are registered with the service.
When BDO looked at governance and support, they checked:
- how Future Pathways was working
- if Future Pathways processes and systems were working well enough
- if the Scottish Government ha d been clear with Future Pathways about how the service should work and what the service should do. This included checking how the service runs, and how Future Pathways uses its funding and resources.
What did BDO find out during the review?
BDO found some ways that Future Pathways could improve. These findings were shared with the Scottish Government to help ensure the service continues to meet people’s needs.
You can view a summary report of the findings at the link below.
If you would like a printed copy of the summary report, you can contact Future Pathways. Contact details are at the bottom of the page.
What is Future Pathways doing now?
Future Pathways is now working on improving the service. Future Pathways is:
- Strengthening communications between people registered with the service, Support Coordinators and the Alliance Leadership Team.
- Making sure that there is good communication about the support that is available.
- Helping people understand how Future Pathways makes decisions about the Discretionary Fund.
Future Pathways wants to make sure that people have a positive experience of support.
What will happen next?
The next step is to ask for the views of people registered with Future Pathways. This will help Future Pathways to understand more about how to improve.
Please note: there will not be any changes to Future Pathways until people who are registered with the service have been asked for their views.
Will my support be affected?
No. Your support from Future Pathways will continue as normal.
If you have questions about this review update
If you have any questions about this review update, you can contact Future Pathways:
Email: engagement@future-pathways.co.uk
Phone: 0808 164 2005 (lines open 10am-4pm)
Write to: Future Pathways, 40 Shandwick Place, Edinburgh, EH2 4RT