“What I’ve learned is you have to build up your confidence”

With support from Manchester Career Coach Wiktoria, Michael (age 17) focused on tackling social anxiety and building confidence. He now has ambitions to see the world.

Two young men sitting on a bus. The one in front has turned to talk to the one behind. Sitting behind them both, a young woman is looking out of the window. — “What I’ve learned is you have to build up your confidence to move forward, when you’re a young person and struggling with anxiety and social situations.”

When Michael met Wiktoria, he told her he wasn’t very confident and found new situations overwhelming, preferring to go to new places with his mum.

He remembered being confident in year 7, with a lot of friends, but after experiencing bullying, he began to feel self-conscious.

This, followed by the Covid lockdown, left Michael feeling isolated, and like he had lost his social skills. When on-site education resumed, Michael had lost interest and enjoyment of school; he felt anxious, and his attendance and GCSE attainment suffered. Big crowds and the busy environment made him feel physically sick.

Confidence and wellbeing support

Wiktoria met Michael as he was preparing to leave school – and one of the first things she did was ask him about his hopes and dreams. One of those was to work in travel. Together, Michael and Wiktoria made a plan to start with the first step – confidence building.

Wiktoria referred Michael to MThrive, an emotional wellbeing and mental health support programme, which Michael completed with one of their navigators – and started to feel more confident and positive about his future.

Wiktoria helped Michael in developing travel confidence, including applying for an Ourpass. She also supported him to open a bank account, create a CV, use job search tools and attend an apprenticeship event.

Furthering ambitions

With his confidence to travel independently building, and with support from Wiktoria, Michael applied to study Travel and Tourism Level 1.

The course had a waiting list, but in the meantime, Wiktoria referred Michael to Nurturing Foundations, a youth and community charity, where he was selected for a three-month paid placement in the Youth and Community Management sector. He felt comfortable taking public transport to his placement.

Michael gained experience at a heritage railway attraction – further supporting his ambition to work in travel and tourism.

Michael said:

“I’ve done tasks like logging information and archive cataloguing. I’ve learned about organisation, talking to customers, deliveries, and cashing up. Everyone was really nice. My placement helped me feel what it’s like to have an actual job. I’m more confident in talking to people now, and in adapting.

“What I’ve learned is you have to build up your confidence to move forward, when you’re a young person and struggling with anxiety and social situations – that’s what I did with Wiktoria.

“She never gave up on me. She’s very nice, and she’s the reason why I’m where I am now. In the longer term, I’d like to work in a role like cabin crew or other role in tourism.

“I’d say I’ve learned that I have potential. I’ve spent time unlocking what I have inside of me. I’ve been finding the pieces and putting them together.”