I was taken into care when I was 6 years old. Things have been very up and down for me since then - it was awful at first but then you kind of get used to it.
I say kind of because at the same time you never get used to it. There is always so much change, so much moving around and trying to fit in.
One year I had a new social worker, my favourite teacher left, I got moved back home to my mum and still had to try and do my mock exams and GCSEs. There are so many things you don't understand because people don't explain them to you.
One of the worst times for me was when I was living back with my mum and brother in a new place - my mum had moved away from where we were before to get away from everything. One night we were having a family night and my social worker showed up out of the blue with the police, who all came into our house and then my brother and I were put in separate cars and and driven off. I didn’t know where I was going or where he was going. I was separated from him for 8 years, and I was never told why. I was so scared and confused.
After I finished school my mental health was very bad because of everything going on - things from my past, not knowing what was going to happen next and that making it really hard for me to live in the present.
Care to Dance was what got me through. The dance instructors and social workers were there every week helping me with my mental health and giving me support. They knew how to put a smile on my face when I was feeling low.
Care to Dance feels like a second family to me. I feel included. When I first started I had very bad confidence but now it’s much better. I have achieved a lot being at Care to Dance - I’ve been on the Youth Board, became an ambassador and have been on trips. I never would have been able to do that without Care to Dance.
You can help us find opportunties and stability for more young people like Anna.
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