What we do Our Stories Gaia’s Story "I’m starting to feel like I belong here. It’s not easy, but I feel stronger and more confident, and am starting to trust people more." Gaia*, arrived in England as a refugee with her mother and two younger brothers a year and a half ago, leaving her father behind. None of her family spoke English at this time and they were placed in very cramped hostel conditions, sharing one room and one bed between them, they share a bathroom with several other families. Gaia found the cultural difference in food difficult to manage and would often leave the house hungry. Despite the challenges, she felt grateful for the opportunity her family had sacrificed everything for, though she deeply missed her old life. When Gaia first joined the SOHK schools programme, she was withdrawn and struggled to engage with others. She clung to one friend, another refugee, and avoided interacting with the group. Whenever there was physical contact on the pitch, she would shy away, becoming tearful and upset. During a mentoring session, Gaia revealed that she was struggling with her emotions, particularly anger, she explained that when she wasn’t in control of her emotions, the only element she felt she could control in her life was food. She felt overwhelmed and could not share these feelings with her mother, fearing it might seem ungrateful. Over the next few months, staff spent a lot of additional time supporting Gaia, offering extra 1:1 mentoring and ensuring a staff member was always nearby during sessions. Through open communication, she gradually began to express how she missed her home, felt unwelcome in her new community, and was struggling with the lack of financial support. By focusing on her strengths and pairing her with supportive students, Gaia’s confidence grew. Four months into the programme, she has built strong relationships with her peers and staff and now receives support from the school’s pastoral team. Gaia now reports feeling happier and more confident in herself. SOHK continues to work with Gaia to further build her confidence and strengthen relationships. Names and images have been changed to protect the identity of our beneficiary.