A fresh start

Kevin-Brenda and Chris were both struggling at turning points in their lives. With support from One You Kent, they each found hope.

Kevin-Brenda strikes a balance

When Kevin-Brenda Apio, 32, arrived in the UK in October 2024, everything felt unfamiliar. A married mother of two young children, she had left behind her home in Uganda, in search of a better future. Settling in Folkestone, she found herself navigating a new culture, climate and way of life, without the support of friends or family.

Kevin-Brenda said: “Everything was different. The weather, the food, the people. We were lonely and isolated. The children had so many questions and we didn’t have the answers.”

As the family slowly adjusted to life in Kent, Kevin-Brenda started to notice changes in her health. She was gaining weight and didn’t understand why.

She said: “The food is so different in the UK, compared to what we ate back home. I wondered if I’d been eating too many processed foods or carbs. I started to restrict calories to see if it helped.”

When she saw no change, her GP referred her to One You Kent, where she was introduced to Lifestyle Adviser Cas Nech.

“We had a chat on the phone,” said Kevin-Brenda. “He took the time to understand me and my situation. Cas made some simple suggestions like eating a proper breakfast first thing and eating my dinner earlier in the evening, as well as getting more fruit and vegetables during the day. He also encouraged me to get outside more, walking, cycling, exercising and drinking lots of water.”

With Cas’s support, Kevin-Brenda is feeling much better in herself. She said: “I’ve lost some inches around my waist and I am feeling much fitter and stronger.”

Cas’s support went far beyond diet and exercise.

“Meeting Cas wasn’t just about my health,” she explained. “He shared local events in Folkestone with other migrant families. That made a huge difference for us as we started to feel less alone.”

Cas explained that Kevin-Brenda’s story is a powerful example of how small steps can lead to big changes.

“Kevin-Brenda was incredibly motivated and she just needed the right guidance,” he said. “She’s a strong woman moving her family across the world in very difficult circumstances. It’s been a privilege to support her and watch her begin to settle and thrive in the UK.”

Back in the driving seat

After facing a series of physical and mental health challenges, 46-year-old Chris Laing from Folkestone found himself facing an uncertain future. Chris had to give up driving due to a heart condition, but he continued working night shifts at a local supermarket, until one night in late 2023, when he was rushed to A&E at William Harvey Hospital in agony. Investigations found he had ruptured his spleen and after two major surgeries, he was discharged a week later and moved in with his mum.

Already living with bipolar disorder, the sudden loss of independence left Chris feeling isolated and overwhelmed.

“I used all my savings trying to keep my accommodation,” Chris recalled. “But I ended up losing my home and everything I owned.”

At his lowest point, Chris visited Folkestone Job Centre. He said: “I knew I wasn’t in any state to go back to my old job, it was too physical. I wanted to work but couldn’t see how that would be possible.”

His work coach at the Job Centre referred Chris to IPS Employment, a service supporting people with mental health conditions into paid work and to the Restart Work Programme, which offers skills training, job application support and interview preparation. They also suggested Chris meet with Cas Nech. Together, they set realistic goals to help Chris move forwards.

“Despite everything, Chris was determined to rebuild his life,” said Cas.

A referral to Fit Together, a local initiative tackling social isolation through exercise, proved to be a turning point. Gym sessions helped Chris regain confidence and improve his wellbeing. Cas also referred him to the NHS Dietetics Team for specialist support, who helped him to set more personal goals, like eating more regularly.

Meanwhile, Julie helped him access online mental health training to prepare for a new career path supporting others who, like him, had faced crisis.

Chris’s persistence paid off. He was offered a paid role as a mental health peer support worker at Ashford Safe Haven, a welcoming, non-clinical space offering emotional support to people in crisis. He’s also able to drive again after having a pacemaker fitted to manage his heart condition.

He said: “I was at my lowest ebb when I met Cas and Julie. They showed me I could move forward, one small step at a time. Their gentle encouragement, week-by-week, helped me first to sit up, then stand and finally take steps on my own. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Cas is incredibly proud of Chris: “Seeing Chris secure and thriving in his new role is fantastic. By listening and offering tailored support, he’s regained his confidence and found a new sense of purpose. Chris is amazing. With his health problems, he could have thought he wasn’t fit to work but he kept going because that’s what he really wanted. There’s nothing better in this job than seeing the positive difference we can make by listening and offering the right support.”

Small changes can lead to big results and One You Kent’s friendly lifestyle advisers are here to help YOU:

• feel more motivated
• make positive lifestyle changes
• find the right support for your needs.