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Your Voices

Share your stories, art, musings, creations, thoughts… in whatever way works for you.

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Share your story

Have a story or piece of art or creative writing to share? Get in touch by emailing Amy at a.sargeson@railwaychildren.org.uk

We’ll never give your real name or use photos of you, so you’ll always stay anonymous.

Millie's story of self-acceptance

“Every time someone says who they are, whether it’s whispered in a bedroom or shouted at a Pride parade, the world becomes a better place.”

Millie, 20, shares the story of how she came out, and offers advice to anyone who might be going through a similar experience. 

READ HER STORY

Meet Harper

Nineteen-year-old Harper is looking forward to a bright future, but it wasn’t always this way.

Not long ago, she was going through a very tough time and was struggling with her mental health. Overwhelmed and not knowing where to turn, she was spending long hours near railway tracks.

When she met Railway Children, things started to change. With the right support, Harper found a way forward and started building the life she wanted.

Watch her story to see how she got through it – and know that, whatever you’re facing, there’s always someone who can help.

Lifechanging art

Will, a young people we supported in Glasgow, created this amazing piece of street art. It was auctioned off and raised an incredible £480 for our charity!

With this money, we can help young people facing the same challenges he once did to find a way forward.

DANTE’S STORY

Last year, 16-year-old Dante spent Christmas in emergency foster care.

He hadn’t been attending school and, at home, life was chaotic, cold and dominated by conflict.

Dante knew things needed to change…

A year later, Dante is happily living in a permanent foster care placement. He’s started an apprenticeship and is attending college one day a week. He also plans to move out of foster care this year and into his own flat.

“Dante has been such a big part of his own progress,” says his project worker, Amelia.

“He’s earning his own money, getting himself to work and attending college. He doesn’t need me anymore – and that’s the aim. That’s where we want young people to get to. Dante now has the skills, the resilience and the confidence to go out and do it himself.”

Dante has made an incredible turnaround in his life. He’s now joined our Youth Participation programme, where he’s helping shape the future of our work.

FINDING STRENGTH THROUGH ART

Dylan, a transgender young person, was referred to us after being physically assaulted.

With the help of his youth worker, Dylan recovered from the trauma of the assault. We also helped him work through issues he was having around his transition.

Dylan uses art, writing and music as a way to express what’s in his head and calm down when he’s feeling stressed.

Thanks to encouragement from Claire and his teachers, Dylan eventually felt confident enough to come out to the other students at school.

“This was an extremely positive experience for Dylan,” says Claire, “which helped him to feel accepted, less worried about being misunderstood and encouraged him to engage more with school.”

“Dylan is now more hopeful about the future and is looking forward to inspiring other young people through his rapping. He’s such an amazing person,” she adds.

STARTING WELL

Thinking about the year ahead, 16-year-old Erin penned the following goals:

  • Stop vaping
  • Save money
  • Try to be healthier
  • Start my career path
  • Learn a new skill
  • Try and go out more
  • Quit all my bad habits
  • Spend more time with family
  • Have a good routine
  • Do more practical activities
  • Limit screen time

With the support of her youth worker, Erin is making these goals a reality in 2025.

Our latest news

Safeguarding on rail: National multi-station awareness day unites agencies to protect vulnerable young people

We collaborated with rail partners for a powerful Day of Action to raise awareness of safeguarding issues along the West Coast Main Line.

Date: 01/8/2025

A milestone in Tanzania: New national guidance for supporting at-risk children 

We’re proud to announce the launch of 14 new support desks across Tanzania, along with national guidelines for supporting vulnerable people.

Date: 28/7/2025

UK government launches Better Futures Fund to tackle child poverty 

Railway Children call for further measures to protect vulnerable young people from criminal exploitation.  

Date: 17/7/2025

Millie’s story: Coming out and being fully me

Millie, 20, shares the story of how she came out, and offers advice to anyone who might be going through a similar experience.

Date: 21/7/2025

Pride Month: Building Safe Futures for LGBTQ+ Young People

How we empower LGBTQ+ young people to embrace their true selves

Date: 25/6/2025

A Girl’s Journey from Collecting Waste to transforming her life

In a community near Ghaziabad station in India, poverty and child labour are daily realities. But one young girl refused to give up on her education.

Date: 06/6/2025
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Image collage showing young people in the UK, India and Tanzania

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