Casey completed her 3 year YAT journey in October 2025. She participated in our Resilience Programme before moving on to our Mentoring Programme, where she was supported by one-to-one fortnightly sessions with a volunteer mentor. Casey made considerable progress over her time with YAT, building her confidence and enabling her to say ‘yes’ to challenges presented to her. She found ways to navigate and overcome obstacles in her way and developed an open mindset – looking for and making the most of opportunities. Casey wanted to share her YAT story with others:
“My first memory of the Youth Adventure Trust (YAT) was walking into the meeting room at school in Year 7. When I was offered a place on the programme, I felt nervous but also full of excitement. I had never done anything like this before. Back then I was extremely shy and anxious. I hated stepping outside my comfort zone and struggled with communication and trying new things. I also found it difficult being put into unfamiliar situations without knowing how to cope. Speaking in front of crowds—or even to people around me—was something I really struggled with. The programme allowed me to be myself while also showing me that I could do anything as long as I believed in myself. It helped me dig deep into who I was and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone.
After completing the Resilience Programme, I was lucky enough to be offered a place on the Mentoring Programme. I was incredibly fortunate to be matched with my mentor, and we created so many special memories together. One particularly phenomenal day was our final trip, where we visited Bath. We explored the art museum, went for pizza, and then finished the day with ice cream and a visit to the bookshop of my dreams!
My mentor taught me how important it is to set goals for myself and actually believe that I can achieve them. She helped me break things down and showed me that even small steps matter. Because of her support, I’ve already achieved one of my goals — being able to play for a women’s football team — which is something I’m incredibly proud of. She always believed in me, even when I doubted myself, and that gave me the confidence to keep going. I’ll always be grateful for everything she’s taught me and for the impact she’s had on my life.
Being part of the YAT programmes, I slowly began to take small steps, such as talking to people more. Towards the end of my time on the programme, I even went for Head Girl. This involved standing up in front of the whole school and speaking—something I could never have done without the support of the Youth Adventure Trust.Being part of the Youth Adventure Trust has been an amazing experience, and I couldn’t recommend it enough to others if they are given the opportunity. The staff are absolutely lovely and make every day even more special. If I could go back and do it all over again, I would without hesitation! Thank you for everything!!“
Reflecting on Casey’s time with YAT, we were delighted to see just how much her confidence had grown, and how many opportunities she was now involved with, both at school, but also her local community. Casey’s mum articulated how she felt the YAT programmes had impacted her when we spoke at the end of the Mentoring Programme:
“Whenever she comes home from anything to do with YAT, a different child came home. It was like a weight, whatever, had gone on in her head before she’d gone, she came back more positive, more upbeat, saying ‘Mum I want to do it again!’ It’s been brilliant all round. She soaked it up like a sponge and thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it.
When she was coming up from Year 6, she did struggle with her confidence, she did struggle with her self-esteem, her resilience wasn’t great – to then all the things that have been instilled in her, using techniques that she takes into school with her and uses and she takes it outside with her, she puts them in place – all those things are massive.
All the things that the programmes have given her she’s taken on board and it’s just part of her everyday life now and it’s amazing. She knows when things become tough she takes herself away or she’ll talk with one of us. But she’s already answered all her worries in her head with a technique that she knows she’s going to do or she’ll come back with ‘this has annoyed me, but I’m doing this’ and she’s just telling you but this is the plan of action and I believe it’s what every step of the programme from Year 7 has given her, and she soaks it up like a sponge and puts it out there.”
We have every confidence that Casey will go on to great success, using all the tools and skills she has developed, alongside her positivity, enthusiasm and boundless zest for life. We wish her all the very best with her plans of becoming an English teacher, and look forward to hearing updates from her in the future.
Well done Casey, and thank you for sharing your YAT story.