Zena’s story

I never really got on with school – I mean, I made it through, but it wasn’t easy. I never felt at home there.

I’m Zena by the way. I’m 16 and I am neurodivergent.
For me that means that I get distracted easily or I can totally forget what I am talking about. It also means that I get overwhelmed in places where there’s lots of people or talking – like classrooms.

I also look after my dad a lot of the time. He struggles with his mental health. We had a social worker for a while but they left last year. They said I was doing OK on my own.

Some youthworkers from The Door started visiting my school. They said I could come to youth club if I
wanted to.  So I did.  I didn’t really have anything else to do.

Most of the time I sat in the corner listening to some music with my headphones on. It felt like a safe space.

The youthworkers would say ‘hi’ and check I was OK, but there was never any pressure to do anything else.

Which I loved.

Sometimes I’d tell them about what life was like at home. They said I should get a mentor.

My mentor is called Charlie and they are helping me become more confident.

During half term there was a trip to a trampoline park. I don’t normally get to go on trips because we can’t afford it but this one was only £5 so I could go.

When the day came I was a bit excited (as well as nervous). On the bus I wanted to push myself, so I spoke to some of the other young people. They were actually really nice, and we spent the day together and it was really fun.

It turned out that they also went to youth club – I just hadn’t really looked up to see them before.

Since then I’ve spent a bit less time listening to music and a bit more time taking part in youth club activities,
especially the creative stuff.

My mentor is still helping me too. We keep working together to push myself a little further from my
comfort zone – a little bit at a time each week.

This year I’ve started college (it’s a lot more ‘me’ than school) and I want to do some volunteering soon too.

Without The Door, I’d probably still be sat in my room listening to music on my own, not going anywhere.
(Although I still do that sometimes, I haven’t changed that much!)

I didn’t know what was going to happen to me.

Now I have friends and a future.