22/04/2026
Should I have messaged him?…
This is a deep one for me, but clinic convos are like therapy at times and this week I was talking about how much of an impact people can have on the direction of your life.
I had a pretty messed up time growing up, both parents were alcoholic, and my mum left when I was 10. Luckily when I was 13 my nan took me in to stay with her, she was stable and safe and the person who I will always know ultimately saved me.
But, there was one other person who made me pivot at a crucial point in my education, changed my direction, and saved my future- one of my teachers.
I didn’t know it then but I was pretty messed up. There was lots going on at home, life was kinda crazy and I didn’t quite know how to navigate it.
When I was 15, I decided I didn’t want to go to school anymore, there was no point and I thought I knew best. The school couldn’t phone my nan when I didn’t turn up because we didn’t have a phone! Any letters that arrived, I got to first, and I continued for months to pretend to go to school everyday and spent the time anywhere but at school.
Until…
One day, I came home from “pretend school” and sitting on my Nan’s sofa was my teacher! I lived miles from my school, I never expected to get caught and I just burst into tears!
Of course, I had to go back to school!
I had zero coursework for my GCSE’s, Mr P continued encouraging me, without judgement or comment, he helped me cut out my wooden alphabet puzzle pieces after school.
I continued to stay after school for weeks, hours and hours of trying to put together some coursework to submit as I was at risk of not being entered for most of my exams! 🫣
I submitted whatever I had and ended up doing ok!
…All because this teacher cared enough about whether I went to school or not. I’m sure he didn’t have to drive the 8 miles to my house after he finished work to check I was ok, but he did.
And whether he remembers it or not, that was the moment I decided to knuckle down.
He cared if I was ok.
He cared if I had qualifications.
He gave up his own time to make sure I left with something to change my future.
And I had to say thank you, even if it was 25 years later 🙏🏻