World Autism Awareness Day presents an opportunity to highlight Foundation of Light participants who have overcome adversity to get where they are today.
Through Foundation of Light's Premier League Kicks programme, Billie-Jo Storey, 17, has turned her life around and now serves as a mentor to young people.
Since 2017, Billie-Jo has been a Kicks participant, and has demonstrated through hard work and determination, anything is possible.
Diagnosed as being autistic, Billie-Jo faces many barriers, including struggling with anxiety and depression.
At the start of Billie-Jo’s journey with the Foundation, she would hide behind her parents, not involving herself in sessions or interacting with her peers. After a couple of months, she started to trust staff and open up about the problems she continues to face.
Over the years, Billie-Jo has showed excellent commitment to attend Kicks regularly, maintaining a positive attitude towards sessions.
Although Billie-Jo has her has own problems to contend with, she sits on the Kicks youth forum, serving as a peer mentor to younger children, especially those with a SEND need.
Reflecting on the ongoing problems Billie-Jo experiences, her parents revealed how tough life can be for their daughter: "Her complex needs mean significant daily struggles to access all areas of daily life which often results in social isolation."
Discussing the importance of Kicks to Billie-Jo, they continued: "Kicks has been the only consistent stable thing in her life (even during lockdown). She is attached to the staff because they are truly inclusive and have given her access to drama, arts, trips and other projects which allow her to have contact with peers.
"It has helped her build some resilience and self confidence in what is a very challenging world for her. She always looks forward to her next Kicks session all week so we would like to say a huge thanks huge to Craig and all the youth workers that continue to support her and make a real difference to her life."
Billie-Jo continues to go from strength-to-strength, recognising Kicks as a place where she can be safe, be herself without judgement and build her resilience and confidence.
Kicks sessions are free and are available across Sunderland and County Durham for peopled aged 8-18. To find more about the programme, or to register your interest in joining, click here.
* Billie-Jo is pictured in red Arizona hoodie.
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