Finding the Way Back: A White Gold Success Story
Tanya was a brand-new Engagement Worker (EW) when she was tasked with supporting a young boy from St Austell. He hadn’t attended school since he was five years old; now nine years of age, he was trapped by extreme anxiety. He was unable to leave the house with his family or even play in the garden with his siblings, confining himself entirely to the indoors and the conservatory. While he didn’t have a formal diagnosis of ASD or ADHD, both his parents and his school were convinced this was the case.

 

Building Trust in the Conservatory
The journey began with just one hour a week. Tanya and the boy, CTr, stayed in the conservatory, playing with his indoor rabbit and guinea pigs while his mum sat nearby to bolster his confidence. In the beginning, he struggled to remember Tanya from one visit to the next, but their time together was always fun.

Tanya brought toys from home to encourage turn-taking and focus. Gradually, his sense of humour emerged; despite speech and language difficulties, he became genuinely happy and chatty. The progress was visible: Mum felt comfortable leaving them to play alone, and CTr began initiating “high fives” and “fist bumps.” He even started asking when she would return, counting down the days on Tanya’s fingers.

 

Stepping into the Great Outdoors
As the weather improved, CTr found the courage to venture into the garden. He discovered a love for nature trails and hunting for “mini-beasts.” Together, they built a hedgehog house and decorated bird feeders to hang in the trees. This evolved into a cherished routine: checking the nature trail, feeding the birds, and inspecting the insect houses.

Soon, CTr was eager to show off his skills on his “drifter” bike and scooter. Tanya ensured they respected his boundaries, never going further than he felt comfortable. They introduced basketball and football in the backyard, even inventing their own games like “Tricket.”

 

Expanding Horizons
As his confidence grew, so did the sessions—increasing to twice a week for 90 minutes at a time. The garden became a hub of activity where they built campfires, toasted marshmallows, and even cooked meals in Tanya’s campervan.

Beyond these 1-to-1 sessions, Tanya played a crucial role in CTr’s wider support system. She attended meetings regarding his Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans and provided essential progress assessments.

“I feel this is an important part of an EW’s role,” Tanya explains. “We work very closely with these young people, and our input is vital for their long-term planning.”

 

A Life Transformed
After two years of steady support, Tanya suggested a trip to a local café. To everyone’s delight, CTr jumped at the chance. Initially accompanied by his mum, he eventually progressed to going out with Tanya alone.

“It was the highlight of my year,” Tanya recalls. “Sitting in a huge café, surrounded by strangers, noise, and lights, seeing him happy and settled. We visited parks across St Austell, but the greatest milestone was yet to come.”

The boy who once refused to leave his house or attend school eventually enrolled in a new school in Bodmin. Today, he attends every day, traveling independently by taxi, making friends, and thriving. “He’s living his best life,” says Tanya.

 

A Message from the Family
CTr’s mother shared her gratitude in a message to the team: “Thanks to you for getting him on that journey. We will never forget the impact you had. You have given him so much; he was a little lad that wouldn’t attend school, and now look where he is. Without you, I wouldn’t have got him there.”

Reflecting on the journey, Tanya Franklin remains modest about her impact: “I was just a small cog in this success story, but it shows how White Gold sessions can help the young people of Cornwall reintegrate into their communities and reach their full potential.”