Ates’ Journey

Ates first joined Ambition Aspire Achieve (AAA) at just 5 years old. As a bilingual child, he often helped translate for his mother, who was caring for his younger brother and looking for opportunities to support Ates in building his confidence, communication skills and readiness for school.

From those early days, AAA became a place where Ates could grow, explore and feel

supported. Alongside his younger brother, he began attending afterschool clubs and

holiday programmes, gradually building friendships, learning from others and becoming part of a positive and welcoming community.

Over the years, Ates has grown into a confident and self-motivated young person. He has developed a real love for the outdoors, particularly through our Into the Wild project, where he has embraced opportunities to explore nature, grow vegetables and learn new skills. Whether tending to plants, learning about precious stones or cooking over an open fire, Ates has always shown curiosity, enthusiasm and a desire to share his knowledge with others.

Through regular attendance, Ates has also developed important life skills. He has learnt how to listen to others, manage his emotions and understand the importance of fairness and teamwork. These small but meaningful steps have supported his overall development and confidence.

In more recent years, Ates has become a regular participant in our woodland activities, where he has continued to grow in independence and resilience. He has learnt how to manage risks safely, developing patience and responsibility in everything he does. His confidence has grown to the point where he now takes on new challenges, such as using tools for woodwork, including carving, sawing and preparing firewood - skills he approaches with care and pride.

Ates’ journey has not only been noticed by staff, but also deeply valued by his family, his mother said “he loves coming to AAA, he has so much fun, the staff are very friendly and they learn so much”.

Today Ates is a caring, friendly and confident 10 year old who enjoys supporting others and building strong friendships. Ates’ story is a wonderful example of how, with the right support, encouragement and opportunities young people can grow in confidence, develop new skills and truly thrive.