Rachel - 16

Rachel came to Fairbridge in September 2008 having been referred by school. Rachel’s attendance had been poor at school and consequentially she became disengaged from the curriculum and her peers. Other issues highlighted by Rachel’s referrer were, low self esteem, domestic violence and depression. Rachel was also known to be aggressive both verbally and physically. Due to Rachel’s non-attendance at school an anxiety had developed about returning to this environment and her schooling really suffered as a result.

Although Rachel did not attend school her enthusiasm and motivation to attend Fairbridge were commendable. Rachel arrived on time and for every course. Rachel completed her Access course and has successfully completed 117 hours of Fairbridge programme gaining certificates in ASDAN, climbing and canoeing along the way.

During one-to-ones with her ODW Rachel was able to reflect on her experiences at Fairbridge and take this forward to goal setting. Rachel would discuss returning to school and gaining qualifications however struggled to follow this through. Rachel independently accessed Scottish curriculum materials online and set aside a few hours a day to continue learning.

During programme Rachel pushed herself at all levels and has managed to curtail the aggression she previously displayed by channelling her energies elsewhere. During her time at Fairbridge Rachel’s motivation and confidence has grown, so much so that Rachel was able to express an interest in the School Non Attenders Programme (SNAP) for which she has successfully received a place and is attending on a regular basis.

Young person feedback following an Access Course

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of you. Although a brief attempt was made after the final challenge, I don’t feel satisfied that I was able to fully explain myself, or to put across what an impact my time on residential had on me.

The past ten or so years, my time has pretty much been spent alone in my room, scared of the world and of myself.

I’d lost out on so much of the world, of myself and of the people I care about from my severe lack of self esteem and confidence and it wasn–’t until the residential that I became aware of just how much I’d let it get out of control.

It was the residential trip that you let me be a part of and, more specifically, the way I dealt with the abseiling that really opened my eyes.

It was something I wanted so badly to do but was absolutely terrified of doing. Not only because of my rather huge fear of heights but, also because I was so scared of making a fool of myself. But I pushed myself and, standing halfway over the edge, I burst into tears because in that moment, I realised so much.

Thinking back on how I’d wasted so much time already, I realised that I’m going to look back on my life in 50 or 60 years and be so disappointed. And I just can’t allow that to happen. But now I realise that things will only change if I, myself, make the effort to change them. This isn’t something someone else can do or something that will come if I sit back and wait for it, I have to do it myself.

I’m starting to take every good opportunity that comes my way, even if it means a ridiculous amount of energy has to be spent. Even if I would rather spend all day in bed, crying . I learned from the residential that if you sit back and wait for opportunities and chances to come to you, you’re not going to get very far so I’m starting to make and build my own. I’m so fed up of passing up amazing opportunities because the thought scares me. The thought that I might make a fool out of myself stops me doing so much so now I’m starting to actively work against that.

So again, thank you for giving me the opportunity to realise this and to look at life through happy, excited eyes once again, I honestly believe that from now on, things are going to get so much better. It’s been so long since, I’ve woken up excited to be alive and I can’t wait to make the most of it. I’m finally beginning to learn that I’m not an awfully horrible person, that the world isn’t going out of its way to scare me and that there’s so much I can do if I truly want to.

So many people have already begun to comment on how happy I seem lately.

Thanks again,

Anonymous (Aged 19)