What was the challenge?

Dan was struggling at school. He was frequently removed from lessons and placed in isolation. He began each day expecting to fail, which led to disengagement and disruptive behaviour. His lack of confidence and persistent negative thinking made it difficult for him to cope. Both his school and his mum wanted him to build resilience and self-belief, but Dan also had the opportunity to set his own goal. He wanted to feel more confident and feel able to focus on his work.

What did Brathay do?

Dan began 1:1 sessions with Petra, a familiar and trusted adult from a previous programme. Their existing relationship helped them start strong. He attended every session, gradually becoming more comfortable sharing weekly achievements. This routine soon became a source of pride and helped him recognise his progress. He described the sessions as a positive space to reflect outside of lessons.

Dan also attended in every activity day, bringing energy and enthusiasm. He encouraged peers, offered support, and used techniques from his 1:1s, like breathing exercises, to manage challenges calmly.

What was the impact?

Dan’s progress was clear. He went from being in isolation or detention almost every week, to five weeks without isolation and just one detention in that time. More importantly, he stopped letting setbacks define his day. He learned to bounce back and focus on the positives, showing real growth in confidence and resilience. Dan’s Dad said, “He has loved doing this. It’s brought him out of his shell loads. He’s tried things that he has really enjoyed, and I am sure he will do them again.”

I’ve been happier in myself. I’ve been more calm, and worked a lot harder in school. You only get one chance to do Elevate, and you’ve got to be happy while doing it and give it your all. You’ve got to enjoy it!

Dan

*Names have been changed.

With thanks to funding from: UKSPF Westmorland and Furness