At our annual learning celebration, we always invite a young person who’s recently finished their time with us to take the “alumni” slot and share a few reflections.

It’s always a special moment to hear directly from the young people we support and the speech below was written and delivered by one of our fantastic young learners who has completed their journey with us. Her words are thoughtful, honest and were presented with humour and great self-confidence. We couldn’t be prouder.

“I’m Zoe…. I’m 16 years old and I would just like to borrow a little of your time.  I promise I’ll make it worth it.

First off, Alison, yes I planned my speech.  I even wrote in paragraphs. And Paul, unfortunately my speech isn’t quite the place for maths but I just thought I’d let you know I ate and ate and ate until I was sick on the floor (8×8=64). 

I left school in January 2022. I was wreck. I couldn’t talk to kids my age – or anyone to be honest. Look at me now. I’m making jokes in a room full of teenagers and adults.

From the moment I came through that door, smelt the tea and coffee and sat on the sofa I knew they could never get rid of me!  I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect.  But Julie reassured me it was nothing like school and from that day on my life changed and I couldn’t be more thankful.

When I arrived for my first lesson I was very nervous.  I was thinking what if my and my tutor don’t get on.  What if I panic.  I was scared.  Then Alison cam and met me and suddenly I wasn’t so scared. By the end of my first lesson I was ready for the next one. 

At school I would have a panic attack every maths lesson and it got to the point I would ask to go to the toilet and just take the extra long route.  Saying that seems crazy to me now.  Now I love Maths and it’s all down to Paul.  I don’t know how to thank you enough.

I passed my English Level 2 and I was starting to get asked what I was planning to do next.  I didn’t know what to say because I didn’t know.  One day Julie mentioned a programme they were doing called “The Future is Yours” to help you find what to do next. So, I decided to give it a go. I am so thankful. Helen D, you did more for me than help me find a career path, you showed me it was OK to go for what I wanted not what people wanted me to do. You showed me it was safe to be me. Thanks to you I am unapologetically me.

They helped me get two weeks work experience in a nursery and now I’m a Level 3 apprentice at that nursery. I couldn’t have imagined that three years ago.  Anybody will tell you how much I’ve changed as a person but it’s because of them that I am who I am. 

They have given me more than an English and Maths qualification. They’ve given me new friends, new experiences but most importantly they gave me my life back. “

if you’d like to become a tutor like Alison and Paul and help young people like Zoe change their lives then you can find out more here.

Or, if you know someone who needs to get their English or Maths qualifications then you can find out more and get in touch with our learning team here.