Sam's story

 “I didn’t think I’d be good at this, but now I love it.” 

A pragmatic and resilient 13-year-old, Sam* possesses a unique strength and openness to try new things. Initially sceptical, she began her SOHK journey with questions about the purpose and benefits, yet her attitude has shifted dramatically since then. Now, she’s fully engaged and has even won "Player of the Day" multiple times. 

Sam’s journey has been far from easy. From the moment she was born, she faced instability, being separated from her mother at a young age. She was placed in the care of her father, who became her world. They formed a strong bond, and he provided her with a sense of stability and love. However, when Sam was around 9, her father’s health deteriorated, and Sam was removed from his care. He sadly passed away a short time later. 

After her father's passing, Sam was taken in by a relative, which provided a period of stability. Unfortunately, this arrangement was short-lived, and she had to move on again. Though Sam is remarkably resilient, these constant changes have understandably eroded her trust in adults, and she has struggled to share her experiences with school staff. This lack of trust, combined with her challenging history, has led to defiance and difficulty following instructions at school, placing her at risk of exclusion. 

SOHK has only been working with Sam for a short time, but she’s shown a remarkable commitment, attending every single session and building very positive relationships with staff. She initially connected most strongly with a female mentor, but each week, her comfort and openness with the broader team has grown. 

The steady support of SOHK has helped her feel seen, valued, and increasingly confident. On the pitch, Sam has gone from questioning, “Why should I?” to giving her all and achieving recognition awards. Her school has noticed a difference, reporting that she seems calmer and happier since joining the programme.  

Though Sam is still uncertain about her future, she currently feels settled and is considering staying in education and going to college. She has a budding interest in both beauty and sport, and SOHK is hopeful that with continued support, she will feel confident to pursue her passions and make her own path forward. 

Names and images have been changed to protect the identity of our beneficiary.