How Sadiyah Found Her Voice With NCS

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Summer ‘22 is a chance for you to meet new people, take on new challenges, and find confidence in yourself. And no one is a better example of this than Sadiyah. 

Growing up with learning difficulties and severe sight loss, meant that Sadiyah’s confidence was particularly low throughout her life. However, that all changed when she went on her NCS experience last year with Preston North End Community and Education Trust. 

“The whole experience has made a massive impact on me…it helped me gain confidence in asking for support and showed me it is not something to be ashamed of. It’s had a very positive impact on what I can now do at college and even at home. NCS has shown me how much I can achieve!”, she said.

Whilst on her experience, Sadiyah took part in a disability awareness workshop where she spoke to other young people about her own disability and how it’s affected her self-esteem and confidence. She also did something she never thought she’d be able to…lead a Zumba class!

Speaking on the experience, she said, “I always thought people would laugh at the thought of me doing any type of choreography…but I started to lead the session and that is an experience I will never forget.” 

In fact, Sadiyah got so much out of her first NCS experience, that she went on to do more, joining her local Changemakers group and even attending North End’s annual NCS Match Day and speaking to the CEO of NCS itself, and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster! 

When thinking of her NCS experience and what it’s meant for her life now, Sadiyah said, “I taught myself something - that if you think you are good at something, then never be scared of expressing yourself.” Now that’s something to be proud of!