Welcome to our new look! Read the story behind it.
Case Studies
We believe every young person holds within them the seed of their own greatness.
Yet life can put a variety of obstacles in their path.
​
Mentoring someone even more vulnerable than themselves can lead to transformations that warm the heart – and change lives.
These are some of the many stories of young people in the Growing2gether programmes.
Rory
Rory began Growing2gether carrying the weight of an extremely difficult school experience. He continually described himself through the language of failure: 'I can’t do that, because I’m stupid', 'I am useless'. He had learned to protect himself from possible failure by avoiding tasks, interrupting others and finding it difficult to listen.
​
'I always thought he's stupid – he can’t write – but he is not, he knows some really fancy words.'
Brendan
Brendan joined Growing2gether reluctantly, following a recommendation from his guidance teacher. A recent family breakdown had left him struggling to manage anger, distress and emotional reactions. Constantly alert to potential criticism or disagreement, Brendan was spending much of his school day in a triggered state, limiting his ability to engage fully with learning.
Callum
Callum spends most of his free time alone in his bedroom playing Xbox. He has a few online friends but speaks very little to his family and rarely goes outdoors. His brother is highly sociable and described by the school as being 'very, very different to Callum'.
Rowena
At school, Rowena was viewed as disruptive, immature and argumentative, often presenting a defiant and dismissive attitude. Rowena identifies as non-binary and has often felt diminished when this has not been understood or accepted at home or school. Their disruptive persona appeared to protect them from feeling behind, exposed or judged.
'In this group, I decided to trust everyone and tell them more about me … I feel much happier for doing this.'
Simone
Simone is an intelligent and mature 14-year-old who carries responsibility as a young carer for a parent with health concerns. She holds sadness about her family circumstances. Simone’s school attendance was sporadic. She acknowledged missing classes when friends were absent or her mood was low. She struggled to sustain motivation and keep commitments … Simone also recognised that weekend friendships and habits were unhealthy.
​
'I [was] very nervous and unsure of what the children were gonna be like with me … Every week when I went back, it was bigger smiles when I walked into the classroom.'
Thomas
Thomas was extremely shy and almost entirely reliant on a close friend, regularly seeking her advice before writing anything or expressing an opinion. Staff believed his low self-confidence was preventing him from reaching his potential. Reading and writing caused particular anxiety, and he hesitated to read aloud.
​​
'It has been so much fun here at the nursery. Also I have learned so much – it has been a blast.'
Join the Programme
If you would like to explore having Growing2gether in your school, please get in touch.
ursula.gebicke@growing2gether.org.uk
Programmes & Development Manager