Every year UK Youth reaches over 5.3 million young people and our youth network grew to over 8,000 organisations. Young people like Tisha, who through interacting with a UK Youth programme, have overcome adversity to take positive steps towards a better future.

Tisha’s Story

Tisha is 19 and had just finished the sixth form. She felt at a loss and without direction, and her anxiety levels were having a damaging effect on her life. Tisha got involved with the UK Youth programme EmpowHER through her local youth organisation. EmpowHER builds young women and girl’s self-esteem and wellbeing by providing inclusive and meaningful social action opportunities to inspire them to lead change in their communities. Tisha attended weekly sessions with other young women in her group and described it as her ‘safe haven’. She took part in youth-led social action projects running a workshop at a local school and leading a group of young volunteers at a Refugee Week event as well as producing a campaign to challenge stereotypes of young Asian women in Britain. Since taking part Tisha has gained new skills in organisation, team working and leadership as well as improving her own mental health and wellbeing. Tisha’s youth worker also saw a huge change in her ability to manage her mental health, saying “she is previously someone who would get quite erratic panic attacks in large groups of people or when public speaking. The immense step that she has taken to lead a whole group of young people; doing it with confidence, controlling her emotions and prioritising others needs over her own, is amazing”.