Molly, a working mother, was introduced to The Island through CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services). A CAMHS nurse recommended the service and directed Molly to The Island’s website, where she was able to make a referral.
“It’s been massively helpful, not just for Rose, but for us as a family.” - Molly's Story
Molly, a working mother, was introduced to The Island through CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services). A CAMHS nurse recommended the service and directed Molly to The Island’s website, where she was able to make a referral.
Molly hoped that the mentoring programme would offer Rose opportunities to engage in activities that the family couldn’t always facilitate due to time constraints and her husband’s health concerns.
She appreciated the idea of Rose having one-on-one time with a mentor, Grace, who could take her out and engage her in enjoyable, confidence-building experiences.
“We don’t have a lot of time to do big physical activities… having Grace was brilliant. She’d just come and take her out to do something fun.”
“When Grace first started working with Rose, she was not attending school and was quite isolated. Over time, Rose became more independent, even surpassing her older brother in life skills such as cooking."
“Rose learned to express her emotions more clearly and communicate when she felt uncomfortable. Grace helped identify triggers and strategies to manage them, which the family could then use in daily life.”
“She can express her emotions better and let us know when something’s wrong.”
Rose regularly shared her experiences with Molly after mentoring sessions. Whether it was cooking, crafting, or adventurous activities like climbing, Rose was enthusiastic and proud of her achievements.
“She’d come home and tell me everything… Grace would send me pictures of her climbing right to the top. She was so proud.”
Molly also told us the broader support provided by The Island team, especially around education and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) processes. The team helped her navigate EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) applications and attended appeal meetings to advocate for Rose.
“I didn’t have a clue what an EHCP was… the team came to meetings and helped us get it granted after it was refused.”
Thanks to this support, Rose secured a place at a specialist school, ensuring she receives the tailored education she needs.
“It’s been massively helpful—not just for Rose, but for us as a family.”
Emma began her journey with The Island as a volunteer mentor in 2017 while studying at the University of York. She used the skills and experience she gained whilst working at the charity to strengthen her application for clinical psychology training, the field she now works in eight years later.
When Lynn was first signposted to The Island, she wasn't entirely sure what to expect. However, over time, it became clear that what their son received went far beyond anything that she could have imagined.