Stories

At WAVE Berwick, the voices and experiences of young people are at the heart of everything we do. Through our partnerships with alternative provisions, we have had the opportunity to speak directly with young people about their journeys, challenges and achievements.

The stories shared on this page reflect a range of individual experiences and perspectives from both young people and staff. They highlight the impact that the right support, environment and opportunities can have in helping young people rebuild confidence, improve wellbeing and re‑engage with learning.

These stories are shared with care and respect. In many cases, identifying details have been changed or removed to protect privacy and ensure young people feel safe to share their experiences honestly.

We hope these voices offer insight into the importance of inclusive, community‑based support and the difference it can make in young people’s lives.

The majority of young people shared that they feel happier, more settled, and more engaged with their education in these environments, often experiencing stronger relationships, greater support, and a renewed sense of confidence.

However, many also spoke about what they feel they are missing out on. This includes access to subjects such as Science and Design & Technology, as well as opportunities outside the classroom like extracurricular activities, trips and events such as school prom.

These insights highlight the importance of not only providing supportive environments, but also ensuring young people can access a broad and balanced range of experiences that support both their learning and social development.

Through our grant‑making, WAVE Berwick helps alternative provisions, youth organisations and home‑educated young people access the broader range of learning and enrichment opportunities they would otherwise be excluded from. By providing flexible funding, we enable these groups to offer both supportive environments and meaningful experiences, ensuring young people are not limited by their circumstances and can benefit from a more balanced and inclusive education.

What Staff Have Told Us

We also spoke with staff working within alternative provisions, who shared the positive impact they see every day. They described young people becoming more open to learning, having more meaningful conversations, and showing increased confidence and trust. Many highlighted reductions in anxiety and spoke about how rewarding it is to see strong relationships forming between peers and staff, as well as the progress and achievements young people make over time.

However, staff also reflected on the challenges. They recognise that, despite the supportive environment they provide, young people can still miss out on aspects of mainstream education, such as a broader range of subjects, wider social interactions, and after‑school activities.

They also shared that one of the most difficult parts of their role is not always being able to provide everything young people need, and concerns about what happens when young people leave provision, including uncertainty about their future pathways.

These insights reinforce the importance of ensuring young people have access to both supportive environments and wider opportunities that help them thrive beyond alternative provision.

Interview with T² Trappy

Year 10

Q: What makes you happy or proud?

A: Food! Family and friends

Q: What’s something new you learned to do?

A: Be more mature and how to have a job

Q: What are the reasons for you not attending mainstream school?

A: Struggled with my teachers

Q: Why were you excluded?

A: Didn’t follow the rules, I’m a ‘rebel’

Q: How do you feel about being excluded?

A: I didn’t care

Q: What do you enjoy about your current provision?

A: My friends and boxing

Q: Do you feel you miss out on anything?

A: Prom