Determined to prove to herself and others that she can show commitment and achieve more, Zara (17) signed up for our King’s Trust Award programme, Team.
School proved to be a difficult place for Zara to thrive socially, particularly with her anxiety making the busy nature of hallways overwhelming. Deciding it was best to leave at 16, Zara joined a Pathfinder course at the local college, but again struggled to engage due to not connecting with her peers. She did find herself growing in confidence from attending this course, but wanted more for herself.
Zara decided to take action and commit to whatever she decided to do next. That’s when she discovered Team. Living up to her own challenge of pushing herself further and improving her attendance, Zara quickly felt she could be herself on the programme. The first few weeks involved a lot of group work which gave Zara time to bond with her peers and find new friendships. Having an environment that was positive and encouraging made all the difference to Zara’s confidence.
Along with her friends on Team, Zara completed community projects, fundraising, earned new qualifications, and a work placement with a local employer. But for Zara, the key highlight for her was the people she met. She learned that she enjoys talking to people and letting her personality shine.
“Zara faced challenges with people in my her life who have shut her down or judged her, but she refuses to be invalidated. We witnessed her self-confidence grow tremendously as she consistently pushed herself over the 12 weeks. At the final presentations, Zara showcased this vibrant side of herself, displaying her humour with confidence that served as a positive influence to her peers. It was inspiring to hear her reflections on teamwork and to see how much she had developed throughout the programme”
– Zara’s Youth Worker.
Zara is now attending a new programme with Cyrenians as she’s explore her career options while also continuing to attend Thrive, our weekly 16+ girls group and our general weekly 16+ drop in. Zara’s story is a powerful testament to the impact of providing the right environment and support. Her willingness to prove to herself and others that she can show commitment and achieve more, coupled with the opportunities provided by Go! Youth Trust, demonstrates that giving young people the right support can truly make all the difference.
