Frazer

When Frazer was first referred to Go! Youth Trust by his school six years ago, he was a quiet young person who had lost much of the confidence he once had. Following the death of his dad at a young age, Frazer found it difficult to engage with others and had begun to fall behind both socially and emotionally.

His mum remembers the change vividly. “When he first went to nursery, he was outgoing and full of confidence. Then his dad died. He became shy, he was falling behind, and he just wouldn’t interact with people.”

Frazer began attending Go! Youth Trust’s universal youth work sessions and holiday programmes. These gave him a safe place to have fun, build relationships with youth workers and spend time with other young people away from the pressures he was facing at home and school. Week by week, he began to feel that this was somewhere he belonged.

As Fraser’s confidence started to grow, he was referred by his school to Go! Youth Trust’s NXT programme, where he was introduced to new experiences, new friendships and opportunities to develop his skills. Through a mixture of outdoor adventure, digital learning and practical challenges, he began to discover strengths he didn’t know he had.

“I learned how to make things, tightrope walk, loads of digital skills. I even learned how to code.”

One experience in particular became a turning point. During a team challenge, the group was tasked with building a raft from barrels and logs before attempting to sail it across the canal. While everyone had helped build it, Frazer was the only person willing to climb aboard and put it to the test.

“I was the only one who stayed on it long enough to fall in the water.”

The raft flipped over, but what could have been an embarrassing moment became one of Frazer’s greatest successes. His willingness to give it a go earned the respect of the rest of the group and helped him build friendships that have lasted ever since.

“It was a real turning point,” his youth worker recalls. “After that, Frazer really started to connect with the other young people.”

Away from Go! Youth Trust, Frazer was also carrying significant responsibilities at home.

“I’ve been a young carer for many years. I help my mum, I help my papa, and I helped my dad. Sometimes I just need a break.”

For Frazer, Go! Youth Trust became exactly that—a place where he could simply be a young person.

“Sometimes I walk into school and I’m just tired. Go! Youth Trust has always kind of just been there to chill.”

As his confidence grew, Frazer progressed through different programmes before moving into the older youth drop-in sessions, continuing to build friendships and develop his independence. The shy young person who once struggled to engage with others has become someone who looks forward to every opportunity to get involved.

His mum has seen the transformation.

“His confidence has settled. He’s happy. He’s made friends, and I’m so grateful. It’s all confidence that he’s gained through Go! Youth Trust. When one programme finishes, he’s excited about coming to the next one. He wants to be here.”

Perhaps the greatest measure of Frazer’s journey is what he now hopes to do in the future.

“He wants to be part of helping other kids have the experience he’s had.”

Today, Frazer describes Go! Youth Trust simply.

“I feel I’m a nice person, and everyone I’ve met working here are really, really nice people. I’ll be completely honest—I love them.”

Frazer’s story shows the lasting impact of relationship-based youth work. Through trusted adults, meaningful experiences and opportunities to belong, Go! Youth Trust helped a young person rediscover his confidence after loss, build lasting friendships and begin looking towards the future with hope. Today, Frazer is not only thriving himself—he wants to help others do the same.