Michaela

Michaela was only 10 years old when she and her mum, Sandra, were referred to our Families First programme.

Michaela suffers from a hereditary disease that has left her with a troublesome limp and she was badly bullied at school, resulting in her being the victim of a nasty hate crime. Referred to Brathay by the Police, she joined one of our Families First programmes designed to develop her self-esteem and resilience. Sandra, meanwhile, was offered support in her struggle to cope and contain her anger.

With the ongoing help of their Brathay community worker, both made rapid strides forward; Michaela by finding the confidence to stand up for herself and inform staff of any further bullying, and Sandra by discovering a fresh perspective enabling her to feel calmer and think more positively. As is so often the case when victims start to speak out against their perpetrators, the bullying towards her daughter very quickly died down.