Mentor Story: From Silence to Self-Belief – Milly’s Journey into Animal Care

Finding a Path Back to Education

When I first met Milly in 2023, she had not been in formal education for over a year after leaving school in Year 9. She was quiet, withdrawn, and understandably cautious for someone who had disengaged from mainstream schooling.

Milly’s dream was clear: she wanted to work with animals and one day live independently. That spark of ambition was something we held onto and used to build a learning journey around her interests.

A Love for Animals That Opened Doors

Milly has a deep passion for animals, especially reptiles. During our mentoring sessions, I had the joy of meeting her Gecko, Echo, and Tree Frog, Green Bean, who often made an appearance! These connections became a wonderful way to encourage conversation and build trust.

Over time, Milly began to open up. As our relationship grew, I introduced her to new experiences connected to her love of animals and nature. These gentle but consistent exposures helped her feel more confident and connected, not just to her goals, but to the world around her.

Building Life Skills for Independence

As her confidence grew, so did her independence. Milly began to learn how to cook, preparing meals for herself and eventually cooking regularly for her family. She even made themed treats like Tree Frog Biscuits and enjoyed making dishes like ratatouille which were creative expressions of her progress and personality.

These everyday skills are just as important as qualifications. They have helped Milly start preparing for an adult life where she can care for herself and pursue her passion.

A New Chapter: College and Animal Care

Thanks to her time with Nisai’s online education and mentoring programme, Milly is now moving on to college to study Animal Care and work towards GCSEs in Maths and English. She has already attended her induction day and is learning how to travel to college by bus, this is an enormous step for her confidence and autonomy.

Most importantly, Milly is excited. She has not only found her voice but she has also found her path.

How Nisai Helped Milly Reconnect with Learning

Milly’s transformation shows how a personalised, supportive, and interest-driven approach to education can change lives. At Nisai, we specialise in working with learners who don’t thrive in traditional settings, offering:

Flexible online learning with live lessons and on-demand access
One-to-one mentoring that builds confidence and trust
Life skills coaching to promote independence
Pathways to further education, including college and GCSEs
A nurturing environment for learners with SEND or SEMH needs

Find out more about Nisai’s online learning programmes or contact us to support a young person like Milly.