Priscilla – The Inspiration Programme Case Study

Pricilla is studying Applied Science, Health & Social Care and Core Maths

I am very organised, so it was easy to organise myself with my studies to do the Programme, but I was shy, and I found it difficult to talk or speak to other people. I was very quiet.

I knew though that it would be good for my future I was still nervous, I want to be a GP, but I find it hard to speak up and be heard and I really needed to learn how to communicate with people and to help them trust me.

A lot of the sessions were around helping us to build our confidence and how to speak to each other and in groups.

In one session Geoff got me to read a paragraph aloud, I was quiet at first, but everyone gave me courage and Geoff helped me to overcome my fear and I spoke up, I never knew I had a voice like that. I sounded good.

I never would have done that ever, I wouldn’t have volunteered to stand up, but Geoff saw that I could do it and we all need that push in life and I am so glad he did it. It helped me to build my confidence and when everyone clapped, I knew that I had done something really different.

Everyone who came in to see us or when we went onto the trips gave me an insight into how people work and how they learn and succeed and that everyone would give their time to us and not give up on us even when we found sessions difficult.

I found it amazing that people were honest and said that thy had been shy and nervous in the past, but it was okay to make mistakes and that this was part of life. These were successful people as well, if they could do it then so could I.

Over the year I was able to look at all the different sessions and see that as a GP I would use these experiences to help me to build a relationship with my patients to understand them. Working with children who had disabilities, they overcame them, and I can overcome my shyness. I can be confident; I can work in a team and I can put my point across.

I can work as part of a team and get to the end and there is an outcome, I loved the Stables and Drumming I had so much fun but also learnt that I can do different things and that gives me something to talk about with confidence.

I can anticipate questions now and not clam up, I can turn it around and be creative, I can make music and take a chance and not worry about what other people think and I can prepare of the unknown.

I feel that my mind had been broadened and see things from different sides.

I am now part of the young enterprise scheme at school and mentor and speak to younger years. I really enjoy this as I am giving something back and helping others build their confidence and self-esteem. That make me fell really good and without this experience I would never be doing what I am doing now and I am still only 17 years old!

Last year I would not have done any of this, I wouldn’t even be sitting here talking to you, I have changed so much and think that it will help me in my future to become successful, whatever I do.

For more information on Action4Youth’s Inspiration Programme click here.