Stories
When young people want to tell their story, we listen. We see something in every one of them. We see hope. Often their stories aren't easy to tell, but they tell them. They know that opening up will help them feel better and show others, who have it just as tough, that there can be a brighter tomorrow.
Here are their stories, told in their words.
It was very much led by me
It was very much led by me
At 11, Saskia was groomed and sexually exploited online by a network of criminals. Unable to cope with what happened, Saskia turned to drugs and alcohol. It wasn’t until she met Sophia, one of our specialist Child Sexual Abuse workers, that she was able to process what had happened to her.
Willow's story
Willow's story
Willow's childhood was filled with constant stress and anxiety about money. They relied on benefits and her mother would skip meals in order to make ends meet. She often felt defeated and isolated.
Today, Willow loves spending time with her friends. She works as a personal trainer, helping people every day.
You've got to be committed
You've got to be committed
Louise grew up in a violent household. After she was taken into care she received help from one of our support she needed. Finally, she was able to work through everything and feel confident and empowered.
Katie
Katie's story
When Katie was a teenager, spending time on social media was a normal part of life. She was chatting, scrolling, talking with friends. But the day the police knocked on her door, everything changed. That’s when Katie and her family realised that she was in real danger. She was at risk of being exploited. Sophia, a specialist project worker, talks about how Katie was able to get a fresh start.
You can get better
You can get better
For Isla, the anxiety, distrust, and confusion that she experienced after she was shown explicit content by someone she trusted made life almost unbearable. Olivia, one of our therapists, helped Isla to develop the skills to cope with her emotions and understand that she wasn’t to blame for what had happened.
Rosie's story
Rosie's story
When Rosie was 11 her dad was gone from her life almost entirely. To cope, Rosie turned to self-harm. She even tried to take own life.
After getting the help she needed from one of our specialist practitioners she turned a corner. Now she feels like a new person.
My voice was being heard
My voice was being heard
When Andrew was just 13 he and his family were caught up in a terrifying attack. He struggled with his mental health. After receiving therapy from one of our specialist practitioners he was able to process his traumatic memories.
Leila's Story
Leila's Story
It was Christmas when Leila and her family arrived in the UK. From a young age, she had seen her mum experience domestic violence and they were searching for safety.
Leila received care and support from our practitioners. Piece by piece, she was able to rebuild her life. Today, Leila is a volunteer speaker and staff member for us. She passionately works to ensure other vulnerable young people have the support they need.
Hope is never giving up
Hope is never giving up
When his son took two overdoses in a week, Sam knew they needed help. He reached out to our family support services and, through martial arts and mindfulness, they began to recover.
