Daisy’s Story – Steps2Wellbeing

I Never Thought I’d Travel Alone – Until I Believed I Could

When I first joined the mentoring programme, something that many people take for granted felt impossible to me: travelling on public transport by myself.

The thought of catching a train alone filled me with anxiety. I relied on my mum to take me everywhere because navigating stations, finding the right platform, and dealing with the unexpected felt overwhelming. As I started college, I realised my lack of confidence wasn’t just stopping me from travelling, it was holding me back from becoming more independent, accessing my education, and looking forward to my future. Things at home could also be difficult at times, so gaining some independence became more important than ever.

With the support of my mentor, I didn’t have to face those fears all at once. We broke everything down into small, manageable steps. Together we practised planning journeys, reading timetables, finding the correct platforms, and talking through what I could do if something didn’t go to plan. We also set up travel apps that gave me live updates, helping me feel more prepared and less anxious every time I travelled.

Slowly, things began to change.

Each journey I completed gave me a little more confidence than the last. What once felt impossible started to feel achievable. By the end of the programme, I was ready to travel to and from college on my own for the new academic year. I knew I had the tools, the strategies, and most importantly, the confidence to do it.

Learning to travel independently has changed my life and given me freedom. I no longer have to rely on other people to get where I need to be, and I believe in myself in a way I never did before. I feel more capable, more resilient, and more excited about what the future holds.

Looking back, learning to catch a train might seem like a small achievement to some people. But for me, it has been life-changing. It has opened doors to my education, my independence, and opportunities I never thought I’d have. Most importantly, it has shown me that with the right support, even the biggest fears can be overcome.

Daisy’s mentor reflects:

Watching Daisy grow in confidence has been incredibly rewarding. What once felt impossible became something she could do independently, one step at a time. Seeing her travel to college on her own is proof of just how far she’s come, and I couldn’t be prouder of everything she’s achieved.”

*Names and images have been changed to protect identities