From setback to comeback: Millie's Journey

Millie has always been ambitious. Having studied Chemistry, Biology, and Psychology at A Level, her curiosity and drive led her to pursue a degree in Biomedical Science at university. During her first year, Millie encountered significant challenges with her health, including chronic pain and extended periods of illness. These difficulties began to affect her daily life and, in time, her mental wellbeing. After careful thought, she made the difficult decision to take a break from university to focus on her recovery. Finding Support

Looking for guidance, Millie was referred to RISE UP through the Snow Camp programme. She joined not entirely sure what she wanted to achieve, but she knew that building her confidence and exploring her next steps were important priorities.

Through the Building Aspirations Programme, Millie took part in a variety of confidence-building, communication, and employability workshops. She expanded her skills, developed strategies for navigating challenges, and grew her professional network.

Sessions also included discussions on Reasonable Adjustments, which were particularly relevant to her situation and helped her understand how to advocate for her needs in both education and future employment. Rebuilding Confidence

Over several months, Millie focused on healing, building resilience, and regaining confidence. With support from the RISE UP team and her peers, she reached a point where she was ready to return to university to complete her second year -stronger, more self-assured, and in a much better place both mentally and physically.

To support her ongoing studies, Millie successfully applied for a RISE UP Scholarship Fund, which provided a new laptop and a fully funded all-terms student bus pass. This ensured she could access university with ease and continue building her future.

I’m going to use my all-terms bus pass to travel to university, and I’ll use my laptop to complete my work and research. When I’m ready to start a part-time job, I’ll use it to apply for roles and travel to work. The RISE UP team have been really supportive and helpful. - Millie

A New Chapter

Alongside returning to university, Millie has also started an exciting new part-time role:

I will be working at the Snow Centre for the Snow Experience! I’ll be working on the snow park and hosting birthday parties, and I can’t wait to build my confidence even more. I’m so excited!

Millie’s journey is a remarkable example of turning things around. From a challenging period where her health, confidence, and mental wellbeing were struggling, she has grown into a stronger, more self-assured young person. Today, she is thriving - ready to continue her studies, succeed in work, and embrace new opportunities with resilience, enthusiasm, and confidence.

We couldn't be prouder of Millie and the incredible progress she’s made.

If you'd like to learn more about our Building Aspirations programme or support young poeople like Millie on their journey, get in touch!