Hello, I am Tillola and I am a Junior member at CYZ. I am an energetic and friendly person and I enjoy both sport and school. When I first joined CYZ no one from my school came along so the only person I knew was my sister. That couldn’t be more different now, I have lots of friends who I catch up with every time I come and my confidence is growing. CYZ has helped me to be more confident as it has opportunities to put myself out there, some of these include performing a dance routine I choreographed in front of the whole of holiday club and taking part in a performance of Jack and the Beanstalk with a mix of my friends and people I had never met before.

The Youth Zone has helped me to resolve arguments with other people in a much better way too. Before I joined CYZ I regularly argued with girls in my class and ending up in detention. After taking time at CYZ I am much better at resolving arguments now with both my friends and people I don’t like, this has resulted in much less detentions this year and better relationships with my friends.

I like to do lots of things at the Youth Zone, some of my favourite activities include dancing, playing football and making loom bands. Sometimes I don’t even want to do an activity and just run around the yard with my friends! I also like to check in with the staff and talk to them about our days. AJ is a staff member who I like to talk to when he’s in as I always get a good convo about what’s new with him.

The Youth Zone has had a big impact on my life, from not being bored on an evening to visiting friends houses that I would never have met if I hadn’t joined CYZ. I have also had chance to improve both my footballing skills with girls only sessions and improving my dancing with dance teachers who come in during holiday club. One thing I have continued on at home with is playing the guitar, I tried it at CYZ and now we have one at home, I am progressing nicely and can play Wonderwall so far.

I feel overall I am more energetic and a better communicator.

Youth Worker Reflection:
Tillola has come on a long way at Carlisle Youth Zone, she is always keen to be involved in activities or help staff members with a task. She has also developed her musical and cooking skills, partly due to her attendance of the Wednesday night cooking club and summer daytime sessions, she doesn’t shy away from learning a new skill and this is evident from her 2 meter long loom band she wove by herself. While she is close with her sister she doesn’t let this define her social circle and is always on the hunt for new friends to play with or race against… and she always wins!