Tamara's - Story
This is actually the second Get on Track course I have done with Dame Kelly Holmes Trust. Initially I went on one in Exeter but because of my anxiety and the location I didn’t participate much and didn’t really feel like I got much out of it. The location of this second course made it less daunting, and because I started this one with my brother, it made it easier to make friends and fit in with the group.
I’ve had social anxiety for a large part of my life which has affected me day to day. This makes things like attending programmes such as this difficult. I was more at ease on this programme as I got to know more people and they respected me more. Taking on a leadership role within the group has really helped with my building my confidence. If other people talked over me, I had the confidence to point out the ground rules we had set at the beginning of the sessions and that we should all stick to them. Getting positive feedback from the group and us all displaying good teamwork really helped me to feel more confident as well.
Through the programme we did loads of activities like skating at a skate park, we played basketball, football, netball and badminton as well. The favourite thing I did was kickboxing, that was fun. I had done it previously years ago, so it was fun to get back into it.
It’s been really good working with Dave, my athlete mentor. It was good to see things from a different perspective and see the progress athletes have made and that we can make similar type of progress if we try.
“I think Tamara shocked herself when she took on leadership roles, she has more confidence than she thinks she has and now says yes to more things than might have done previously. Tamara has got all the skills to springboard going forward, she certainly won’t need help from an athlete like me going forward! ”
Dave Hill, Athlete Mentor
At the start of the programme I wasn’t doing much activity. Now I do a lot more walking and I go to three dance classes a week. I regularly walk to the shop and back which now is up lots of hills, I’m also learning how to breathe properly so the hills are a bit easier.
During the programme I moved into my own place for the first time. This has been really useful as I have a feeling of control over my life. With the confidence I’ve gained I’m hoping to go back to college to do some courses with a view to becoming a foster carer.
I would definitely recommend this programme. The support you get is great and it gives you the realisation that you can get whatever you want if put your mind to it and if you put the effort in.
Tamara attended the Get on Track for Wellbeing programme in Torbay. Thanks to funding from Sport England, we are working with 700 young people in coastal communities all across England to help them become more active.