Tommiee lost both parents when he was young and grew up in the care system, moving between different families and situations. These early experiences followed him into adulthood – he often felt like he didn’t belong, and ongoing housing challenges meant he never had a true sense of security. Despite everything, he held onto hope, and he found community in places where he felt understood, like the skate park in Bedminster.
In this interview with senior support worker, Fisayo, Tommiee reflects on his journey and how meeting Second Step helped him finally find stability after a lifetime of instability.
Dean Lane skate park, near North Street in Bedminster, has been a cornerstone of Bristol’s skate community for decades. Since opening in 1978, it has served generations of skaters and become a much‑loved fixture of the neighbourhood.
“Sharing a space like this, you know, I feel like for a lot of people that don’t want to be at home, or have difficulties inside or with themselves, or interacting with people, it’s a place where you can come,” says Tommiee, “It’s like an outdoor mental health men’s club. So having the opportunity to come back here, even though I don’t live here anymore now, is good, you know?”
Although he doesn’t live in Bedminster anymore, Tommiee came back to the skate park to meet his support worker, Fisayo, and tell his story:
Tommiee: “My name is Tom – Tommiee Mosarey – also known as BS3 Chase. I came to Second Step because I was probably going through a hard time in my life and I was having difficulty in my housing.”
Fisayo: “How has Second Step helped you? How’s your journey been so far?”
Tommiee: “They moved quickly. They actually listened to me, so I’m happy to be where I am now.”
Fisayo: “Do you want to tell a bit about your background and what you faced growing up till now?”
Tommiee: “Yeah, man. I faced a lot. I think everyone’s got a story to tell that would make you feel sad. But, obviously having to deal with that every day… My parents died when I was a baby. I was very young and obviously due to that I had to grow up in different situations, in different families, and yeah it was kind of hard.
“I was always me, if you know what I mean. I had to find me and then find out how I fit into society, you know.”
Fisayo: “What would you say is one thing that actually kept you going?”
Tommiee: “I guess my energy, my resilience, me wanting to have a happy ending, me knowing that it’s working out for this person over here, it’s working out for those people over there. I’m going to get my time soon, and it’s just waiting for the stars to align. Just waiting and being patient.
“I was actually going to give up before Second Step came, not give up but… let me explain this: before Second Step, it was like another house, another home, another group of people that I had to go and see and work with who were going to promise me my happy ending. And I had been failed up until then. And then obviously I met you guys. So I was a bit hesitant at first, and then obviously I met you and we sat down, we spoke, and we had similar interests. So I think that’s what made me grow to you and then, I don’t know, I just was like I trust you, you know? And then, I’m still here now, so it works out.”
Fisayo: “Do you find using a support worker helpful in any way?”
Tommiee: “I think Second Step try and pair you with somebody that you will actually resonate with. I learned how to open up and trust you about other things that I couldn’t do or I didn’t know I had to do that were the steps to take to get my own independence.
“So now I am, and my life’s changed. I got a new job, I live in a whole new area. It’s a lot of responsibilities but living in Second Step (Toll House Court) and taking that step initially and working with you, realising that good things can happen to all of us.
“Like I said at the beginning, everyone’s probably got a story to get you that’s probably going to make you feel sad, do you know what I mean? But it’s part of our movie. And even if you have no one and feel like you got no one, there’s always someone there. There’s always a service there. There’s always a person like you to help, that genuinely just wants to help another person. And when you’re human about it, it’s great and it works out.
“I’ve been through a lot of services, a lot of different things, you know, just growing up from a kid in the system, like a little baby into an adult. I feel like every single one of them services kind of let me down. But every single one of them was a step to find the right step for me, which was Second Step.
“And I feel like, especially the last seven years before I met you guys, being here in Bedminster and growing up and finding myself, it’s great on the outside, but my home life wasn’t great. I was living in shared houses with other people who had issues and problems and stuff like that. And if you do get the opportunity to get engaged with services like Second Step – really lucky. The person they’ve got to work with you, they’ll match you with someone that you know you’re comfortable with. They can see where you’re going wrong and then kind of point you in the right direction, you see what I’m saying? I feel like that’s what you’ve done for me really. I just hope that you’re proud of me, you know?
Fisayo: “Definitely. I’m proud of you. You made the right choice, you know, taking the right steps and we can only wish you the best. And just keep your head held high, keep it moving. So many dreams out there and so many things to achieve as well. Proud of you, man. Yeah, man, that’s good. Thank you.”
Thank you to Tommiee for sharing your story of hope and courage, and to Fisayo for the support and compassion that helped Tommiee along the way.
To find out more about the Second Step services and the support we offer please take a look at the Our Services section on our website.