How we helped Ranya* find her voice

I’ve been with Barnardo’s since I was 13 years old – it's a really long time! In 2019, my family were accepted to travel to the UK with the support of Barnardo’s. It was actually really amazing because they gave us all the support we needed, and I can’t ask for more than that.  

Once we were able to move into our house, they started sending me programmes that I could get involved in. My mum asked me if I want to join because she thought it would be a good idea to help me understand more about the UK and about how life is here because it’s completely different to where we used to live. 

I’d never experienced being in a group with so many different people 

I was kind of excited to join because it was something new. It began during COVID, so we had meetings on the computer at the start. We were talking about the problems teenagers have and what we can change, and we went to Parliament and spoke with important people about what thought. 

After that group’s activities finished, I got the opportunity to join another group focused on our rights as teenagers – I’d never experienced being in a group with so many different people and different nationalities, and it was actually amazing! 

They taught us about what we should expect from the government, and from our parents, and how we should be treated. It helped me to gain more knowledge about the rules here because most of the people in the group weren’t from the UK and we don’t know what all the rules are here or how things work here, or what our roles are as teenagers or even as a human being here. So, we got to learn about all of that! 

I especially want to say that the people who work with us are super nice. Like, if I ask for any type of help, they're literally so open to help. For example, when I was looking for work experience and I talked with one of our Barnardo’s project workers about it, they shared a bunch of places I could go and check out which was really helpful.

Stepping into a more confident frame of mind 

In December, we were asked if anyone wanted to become a young leader in the group. At first, I said to my friend “I don’t think I can do that…I can’t be a leader for the group and speak in front of people.” But she encouraged me to try and I applied, even though I didn’t think they would accept me. When I heard the news that I’d gotten accepted as a young leader, I was so happy!  

We learned about leadership, about how we should be responsible, how to manage our time, how to organise things, how to do teamwork, and how to look after each other in a group.  

Barnardo’s has been there for me since I was a kid until now and I’m almost an adult. It made me who I am today. I don’t think I would be the same person I am today otherwise because I wouldn’t know or have done half of the things that I’ve done without Barnardo’s.

I honestly used to be so, so shy – like I used to barely speak a word. So, with the years I’ve been with Barnardo’s, I’ve learned how life works here, how to be confident, how to speak in front of people and being put on some stages where I have to speak up, and just being supported – that’s what built me up to actually be more confident. 

Ranya's advice on how to be more confident 

My biggest piece of advice is to just do the things you think you should do! Don’t hesitate too much and say stuff like “I don’t think I can” or “This is too much for me”.

If you have people supporting you in the choices you make, then you can keep thinking about your dreams and working towards them. No matter what you’re going to do, there will always be people who will be there to support you and encourage you to do your best. 

Some chances only come once and if you’re lucky and take them, then it can be as good as winning the lottery!

*Name has been changed to protect this young person's identity.