Star's Journey to a Brighter Future with DurhamWorks

At just 15 years old, Star joined DurhamWorks looking for support to navigate a difficult chapter in her life. Today, her story goes to show the power of DurhamWorks' tailored guidance and the young people of County Durham's determination to succeed.

A Journey Through Complex Challenges

Star's journey began in the middle of a complex and overwhelming home life. Star faced responsibilities far beyond her young age, becoming a carer to her father who was battling a terminal illness. Relocating in the middle of 2024 disrupted her stability even further, leaving her to struggle to socialise, attend school regularly, and keep up academically.

On top of this, Star managed a range of additional barriers: an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP), behavioural challenges, hypermobility and joint pain, literacy and numeracy struggles, social anxiety, and low self-esteem. With an attendance rate of 86%, her academic progress was significantly hindered.

The Support She Needed

Recognising Star's unique situation, DurhamWorks took a personalised approach to provide her with the support she needed. The team worked closely with Star and her family to:

• Improve her academic performance through tailored support.
• Explore her post-school options, including identifying suitable providers and preparing her for college applications.
• Build her confidence and social skills through group work and the Work Related Learning Team.
• Keep her motivated and help her envision a future beyond her immediate challenges.

Finding a Path Forward

With DurhamWorks by her side, Star began to see a way forward. By Year 10, she was participating in the Workplace Project and gaining valuable insights into potential career paths. Star attended open events, participated in college interviews, and achieved success in her exams. Today, Star is enrolled at college, pursuing a course that aligns with her goals and interests.

A Brighter Future

Thanks to the support and encouragement she received, Star's outlook has transformed. She now feels optimistic about her future and has a clear plan to continue her education while also contributing to her family.

For Star, it wasn't just about academic achievements - it was about restoring hope, rebuilding confidence, and finding a community that believed in her potential

Star's success story wouldn't have been possible without the collaborative efforts of DurhamWorks and the team around her family. By addressing her unique challenges, DurhamWorks empowered star to overcome her barriers and achieve her goals.

If Star's journey inspires you, find out more about how DurhamWorks can help you overcome your challenges and achieve your potential ?? https://durhamworks.info/