School made me anxious, but ten weeks at green skills centre changed my life

I ended up feeling really anxious and could not concentrate in class. It felt like there wasn’t much point in me being there, and that’s when someone told me about Routes to Grow.

The programme teaches you about sustainable land development, conservation, construction, horticulture and helps you work towards a level 4 qualification in forest and outdoors learning.

Looking back at what I was like when I first came, I was a bit nervous. But it did not take long for me to start to really enjoy it. By the end of the day one, I was already making friends, talking and trying to make other people laugh.

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What I want to do in life

I learned about different flowers, plants, birds, and trees – and so much more. Not only that, I developed a lot of new skills and built new relationships. It turns out I really like working in, and even leading, a team.

I found that helping other people – showing them how to build planters, sowing and harvesting – also helped me to realise what I would like to do with my life. I’d like to work with young children in a one-on-one capacity, offering the additional support that I felt I missed out on.

Everyone noticed the change in me. My careers advisor said: “She’s a wee star. Cyrenians helped with her confidence and self-belief as well as showing her the benefits of committing to something. She built some lasting friendships and gained so many transferable skills that have set her up for the next step on her progression from school.”

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Decided to volunteer

It sounds like a small thing, but just by being in a group of people who are nice to each other, it made me realise that I am a positive person with lots of offer. Staff encouraged me and pushed me to try new things. I liked it so much that I brought along a friend and I feel that she’s had the same experience, and it has brought us closer together.

At the end of the course, I didn’t want to leave so I decided to volunteer at Cyrenians Farm. I’m very grateful for this experience.

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My advice for people like me, who are struggling at school, is to see if there is something else you can try. The classroom isn’t the right place for everyone. Maybe, like me, you would do better outside, with people who have the time to give you the right support. I think everyone deserves that opportunity.

Earlier this year Aaliyah, whose name has been changed, attended the ’Routes To Grow’ programme which takes place at the Cyrenians Green Skills Centre, located in West Lothian, which is staffed by its residents, volunteers and keyworkers. For ten weeks, it promotes a series of values-led, peer-supported and person-centred activities.