Casey’s Story: Global Citizens

Casey indicated that she was unsure about participating in the programme. She thought it would be interesting but she wasn’t sure about how comfortable she would be with trying new things or going to new places, as she didn’t like doing ‘things like that’. She was encouraged to give the programme a try.

She was quiet on the first few trips but did join in and seemed to grow in confidence over time. When the group visited Wagamama as part of the East Asian Languages and Culture Day, despite her reservations about trying new foods she said she’d try something from the children’s menu as the sauce came separately from the rice, vegetables and chicken. With encouragement from her friends, she gave it a go and said she didn’t mind it (high praise!)

As the programme progressed, she was increasingly happy to participate and, on the Somali Language and Culture Day, willingly tried on some of the traditional clothes and ate the Somali stew we were served for lunch. The member of school staff observed that she had seen a real shift in Casey’s confidence in trying new things and it was fantastic to see.

By the final Welsh Language and Culture trip to the Senedd, Casey was keen to ask questions of the people running the various activities and even asked the guide to help her pronounce a Welsh word she found tricky. She was also very excited to go on a boat for the first time which was a massive step forward for someone who thought she didn’t like to try new things!