Our Stories: Danielle

Sunderland girl Danielle, 19, got ‘Back on Track’ with Foundation of Light.

Danielle signed up for the 35 week Back on Track programme hoping to gain direction, qualifications and some focus towards the world of work.

“When I left school I didn’t have any qualifications, I wasn’t bothered about what I wanted to do; I just wanted to chill out,” she says. “I didn’t do anything for three years before I heard about Foundation of Light and I didn’t have much of a social life.

“I had no confidence in anything at all. My head was constantly down. I’d hide at the back of the class and pretend I wasn’t there. It definitely affected my school work.

“I eventually went to Connexions with my mam, found out about Back on Track and I signed up straight away.”

Once on the programme Danielle’s performance was exemplary – she didn’t miss a single session throughout and from initially being quiet and shy her enthusiasm and confidence steadily grew as she worked with Foundation staff.

By the end of the programme she had gained vital qualifications in Math and English, completed her FA Level 1 coaching certificate, gained a BTEC Level 2 in Personal Social Development, and even started to volunteer with the Foundation on the one day each week she had ‘off’ from the course.

With new found direction and motivated to achieving a new career goal she signed up onto a BTEC Level 2 programme with the Foundation which she has recently completed, further enhancing her skills and CV.

Danielle is currently volunteering at the Foundation with the Back on Track team helping and inspiring other teenagers who are in a similar position to what she once was.

Danielle adds: “I’m now focused on becoming a coach working with young people, and thanks to the Foundation I’m well on my way to achieving this.

Foundation of Light helped give Danielle a glimpse at a positive future but Danielle was the one who, once understanding the possibilities, took the brave step to put in the hard work and effort to make it a reality.

If I hadn’t found out about Foundation of Light I would still be sitting in the house doing nothing with my life.

Danielle, Back on Track participant and Foundation volunteer