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My Testimony
Being able to be heard when talking and thinking clearer in uncomfortable situations has made a huge difference. A lot of tactics have been picked up in order to help with my anxiety. I now know how to manage myself when I feel overwhelmed or cold.”
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Mentee 15
MR
My Testimony
In May 2023, I was struggling a lot with my attendance at school, my relationships with family and friends, I felt hopeless. My self-esteem and mood were low, and I was dealing with everything in unhealthy ways. However, that month, I began one-to-ones with my mentor from AYW, and with their support and guidance, I found healthier ways to cope with my struggles giving me the ability to feel better within myself.
Those sessions became something I actually looked forward to. Even though I was going through one of the hardest times in my life, My mentor made me feel like I wasn’t alone in it. She never made me feel like a burden or just another person she had to help she genuinely cared. Whether we were having deep conversations or just laughing about random things, she created a space where I could just be myself.
One turning point for me was attending Sound of Croydon with AYW, where I saw young artists from my area perform. It was inspiring to see people who may have faced their own struggles still pushing forward. That day, I made new friendships and started feeling hope again.
As a young person it can be hard to open up to people, especially when you’re used to just dealing with things on your own. However with my mentor, it never felt forced or fake. My mentor created a space where young people like myself felt heard, and just be ourselves with no pressure to pretend everything was fine. It’s a real support system, and that kind of environment makes a difference.
My mentor’s patience, encouragement, and understanding made a huge difference in my journey. She never judged but instead listened and helped me see things in a new light. I’m beyond grateful for her.
Mentee 18
SA
“I was struggling so much at school. I didn’t understand why I was always in trouble. I just couldn’t focus or sit still. I thought something was wrong with me.” – Young Person, 12 years old
When I first started working with this young person, she was having a tough time transitioning into secondary school. Her undiagnosed ADHD made it challenging to adjust to the school environment, causing her to struggle with attention, impulsivity, and emotional regulation. She often found herself in frequent detentions for interrupting lessons, being disruptive, and having difficulty following instructions, which brought her to the verge of exclusion.
“We could see she was a great student, but she was struggling to fit in and keep up. Her behaviour was misunderstood because she didn’t have the tools to manage her ADHD.” – Mentor
At AYW, we recognised that her issues went beyond typical adolescent struggles. We worked with the school and family to secure a referral for an ADHD assessment, which provided the necessary professional support. Alongside this, I supported her through one-to-one mentoring and group sessions that were specifically designed to help her build self-confidence, manage her attention, and improve her social skills.
Through consistent support, we saw a huge shift. “I feel like I’m finally being understood. I’ve started using the techniques you’ve shown me to calm down when I get upset, and I don’t feel so out of control anymore,” she shared.
As she started to develop strategies for managing her ADHD symptoms, her behaviour improved. She became more engaged in her schoolwork, and her social interactions began to flourish. The young person’s confidence grew, and she began to open up in group settings, discussing her struggles openly. This new attitude helped her avoid further detentions, reducing the risk of exclusion.
By the end of our sessions, the young person had made significant progress. She was no longer at risk of exclusion and was actively participating in school activities.
“I feel better about myself now. I’m not just the ‘troublemaker’ anymore, I can actually do well in school.” – Young Person, 12 years old
Our ongoing support, alongside the ADHD referral, made a crucial difference in her ability to manage her challenges and succeed in her educational environment.
annoymous student
M
Before joining AYW, I didn’t think talking about my feelings could help. But the mentoring has helped me feel less alone and more confident in myself.”
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RK
Year 8 Student
Testimonial
Testimonial 1
In May 2023, I was struggling a lot with my attendance at school, my relationships with family and friends—I felt hopeless. My self-esteem and mood were low, and I was dealing with everything in unhealthy ways. However, that month, I began one-to-ones with my mentor, and with their support and guidance, I found healthier ways to cope with my struggles, giving me the ability to feel better within myself.
Those sessions became something I actually looked forward to. Even though I was going through one of the hardest times in my life, my mentor made me feel like I wasn’t alone in it. They never made me feel like a burden – SA
Testimonial 2
As a young person it can be hard to open up to people, especially when you’re used to just dealing with things on your own. However, with Denise, it never felt forced or fake. Denise created a space where young people like myself felt heard, and just be ourselves with no pressure to pretend everything was fine. It’s a real support system, and that kind of environment makes a difference.
Denise’s patience, encouragement, and understanding made a huge difference in my journey. She never judged but instead listened and helped me see things in a new light. I’m beyond grateful for her.
Testimonial 3