What have I been up to recently?
I was given the opportunity to speak on a panel for Strength to Strength, where I was asked to speak in the Teen Survivors, Adult Thrivers section discussing life after terrorist attacks with other survivors. I spoke about how terrorism changes your life, different coping mechanisms I have found useful, advice to parents on how they can aid young people during and after attacks, and how I am now, as a young adult.
After this, other survivors, specialists, bereaved families, first responders, etc present were given the opportunity to ask me any questions and what advice I would give to parents, teachers and medical professionals in supporting young people during and after terrorism.
I love to do things that encourage me to be creative and I am always open to learning new things. Here are the most recent things I have been doing and the main priorities for me at the moment.
Bee the Difference Project 🐝
After the 2017 terrorist attack at Manchester Arena, many young people were struggling with their mental health and were experiencing symptoms of PTSD and anxiety. It is easy to assume that 'finding' and 'receiving' help was easy to come by however, for myself and many others who survived that night getting sufficient support and therapy for mental health issues was extremely difficult to find. Due to these issues many young people felt invalidated, ignored and disregarded.
The 'Bee the Difference' project aims to use the young survivor's stories to help change the accessibility and stability of mental health resources, in hope that, in the event of another terrorist attack that involves young people, adults/ professionals will listen, acknowledge and accommodate that young persons needs and wishes.
If you wish to see more news and information about this project please click the button below to see how I have been involved and how we hope to create a positive impact and change history!
LMA-
BA(Hons) Music Performance & Industry course.
I graduated in July 2023 from LMA (Liverpool Media Academy) with a first class honours degree. As part of the three year course I had the opportunity to collaborate with my classmates in various bands for end of semester/ year performances at some of Liverpools best venues including; The Cavern Club, Leaf on Bold Street and M&S Bank Arena. I was taught by tutors/ working musicians who had years of experience in the industry, some of the modules I completed included covering music technology, songwriting and solo performance. LMA helped improve my confidence and comfort when performing and taught me valuable life skills.
JSA
(Jodie Steele Associates)
During the 2020 lockdown, I became a member of JSA because I was missing my dance and theatre classes. JSA provided workshops on zoom with various 'West End' musical stars from a variety of different musical theatre productions on the West End. Not only did these workshops keep me active, they also taught me multiple skills and gave me further insight into that type of industry. In 2021 I auditioned to be a part of the 'Elite' team and I was successful. Being a member of the 'Elite's' meant that every month from February until August, we had rehearsals for the 'Elite Show', at these in person rehearsals we are taught multiple routines and pieces from a variety of shows by a member of that shows company/cast. The 'Elite show' is always held on the West End, last year we had the opportunity to perform at the 'Bloomsbury Theatre' in London. It was an amazing experience and I am very grateful to have the opportunity to work and perform with so many talented performers and future West End stars.