Elizabeth attends You Can Flourish, an organisation supported by BBC Children in Need

When I was 10 I moved from Scotland to England, where the school system is different and I was playing catch up on the learning both in school and at home. I was being bullied, and then Covid happened so everything felt really, really hard.

I was very scared to move to secondary school.  I was quite shy and I have a different accent to everybody, so I was quite an easy target.

I’ve definitely struggled in the school environment and with managing my emotions and bullying.  I used to be angry and lash out when I was bullied and I got in trouble.  I was petrified to talk to adults – I used to have a mental block speaking to teachers.  I was always crying and very upset when I was speaking to my Head of Year.

Then school told me about Flourish, a support group for girls to help them with their self-esteem and general wellbeing.

I enjoyed both the Flourish courses and projects that I have been part of. I found it very helpful to meet other people who had struggled with anxiety and gone through bullying. It helped me feel less alone. Flourish has definitely made me happier and more confident. I have been able to talk to people and communicate about how I am feeling. Flourish has helped me open up about my emotions, helped me feel more confident and know it’s ok to be a bit scared talking to new people – most people you talk to are very nice! To be yourself is a big thing that flourish taught me. Now I surround myself with people who are so understanding and accepting of me. I get to be myself and I love who I am as a person! ”

Since joining Flourish, Elizabeth has now become a volunteer and core member of the Flourish Advisory Board and is currently working with the team to create a new journal resource for girls in Year 6 to help them with the transition to secondary school.

*Elizabeth’s name has been changed but the story and words are true