Sadie was referred to us by Mindworks alongside her brother, having experienced extreme anxiety and mental health issues for many years. She was the oldest person to attend the High Hopes! weekend at 16 but was very keen to go.
On the residential, she threw herself into the activities including the anxiety-provoking high ropes course. The younger kids looked up to her and her confidence skyrocketed. It also helped her to see that even younger children can feel anxiety and she shared her own anxiety to validate their feelings.
Before attending High Hopes!, she didn’t know how her mum was feeling, but the residential setting helped them realise that they shared similar feelings. She connected well with her brother, too, and since returning, they have been better at listening and being there for each other.
Reflecting on the High Hopes! residential, she says, “It helped me realise that I am not alone. People feel the same or similar ways that I do, and there are people out there who understand me. I feel like a different person since the residential.”
She’s now taking part in dancing competitions, something she’d never dreamed of doing before, and she hopes to go to Equestrian College after her GCSEs.
Sadie’s mum – Rebecca’s story
The High Hopes! residential has also been a game changer for Sadie’s mum, Rebecca. After initially being unsure whether she would come due to her low confidence, Rebecca found being surrounded by other parents in the same situation reassuring.
In the parenting programme, Rebecca learned new strategies, shared stories and reflected on parenting styles. The group discussed how making little changes at home can lead to bigger changes.
Rebecca said she took so much away from the weekend, from the new tools she gained to a new network of parents who could support one another. She also enjoyed the quality time with her children.
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