Holly's Story
Holly had found high school challenging and overwhelming, but her tutor Mathew worked closely to find an activity that suit her strengths and to help boost her concentration.
Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Heavenly moved to Cardiff to be reunited with her mother who had relocated to the Welsh capital...
Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Heavenly moved to Cardiff to be reunited with her mother who had relocated to the Welsh capital.
Her move meant getting to grips with a new country, new people, and a new culture. Heavenly wanted to go on to study at university, but couldn’t speak English at the time, which held her back from achieving her full potential.
Heavenly enrolled on our traineeship summer project within the Foundation’s Future Pathways programme. This supported the development of her confidence and language skills.
The Foundation creates a sense of belonging to support young people as they make their way in the world.
"Everyone was so welcoming and supportive, they really helped me with my language. I used to fear others judging me when I speak English.
"Coming here has made me realise that I still have a future and that I can make the most of my education. I thought I would only be here to develop my English, but I like it here. I am with people who want to help me grow in my new home."
Heavenly successfully completed the six-week programme and is now a full-time student with Future Pathways.
She is on course to complete her BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and will study Health and Social Care at Swansea University in September 2021.
Holly's Story
Holly had found high school challenging and overwhelming, but her tutor Mathew worked closely to find an activity that suit her strengths and to help boost her concentration.
Ahmed’s Story
Ahmed, an eight-year-old pupil at St Paul’s Primary School who is learning English, is the first member of his family to be born in the UK. Living with cerebral palsy, which affects his mobility in both his legs and arms, he often finds everyday tasks painful and tiring while also navigating the challenges of a new language.
Alys' Story
After the pandemic, Alys struggled with severe anxiety that made leaving the house a major challenge. Today, she attends classes regularly and enjoys girls’ futsal—something she once thought impossible after years of isolation from her peers.