How Lewis boosted his confidence through his Physical section

Feeling isolated at home, Lewis pushed himself to head along to a DofE open evening at The Studio in Halton. That brave decision started off a positive new chapter of his life.

Being home-schooled and not going to college meant Lewis spent most of his time alone in his bedroom. Because of this, he figured the Halton Open Award at The Studio was his only option to learn more and make friends.

He remembers: “I came to the open day, and I could see people laughing and having a good time. I didn’t have much of that in my life because I used to just sit in my room and do nothing. I could see everyone in the group laughing and smiling, and it made me want to sign up.”

DofE ‘makes me feel good about myself’

With his mum Nicola cheering him on, the 17-year-old found the courage to step into The Studio. She could tell Lewis needed to come out of his shell after facing challenges with his ADHD, frontal lobe syndrome and losing his father aged 10.

Lewis says: “The Studio has been important for me because it helped me in a time of need. I was in a dark place, and I thought maybe they could help me, and it turns out they actually did.

“They pulled me out from that deep pit. I’m brighter now and I’ve changed a lot. It makes me feel good about myself.”

The Physical section has been especially important to the Silver DofE participant. Cost was a barrier to joining a gym, so he does fitness in a group with DofE Manager Barry at The Studio.

Regular exercise has made it easier for Lewis to manage his ADHD, and he lost four stone over the course of his Bronze Award which helped boost his confidence.

“Doing fitness with a group also makes it more fun than tiring, you find the laughter in things and that makes it better,” he says.

Watch Lewis talk about the sections of his award and how they have impacted him:

Bursting out of the comfort zone

Since starting his DofE, Lewis has gained “a lot of good qualities as a human being”.

DofE Manager Barry praises his development: “Lewis has been absolutely fantastic since joining the group. He was really put through the mill a couple of years before coming here, and at the open evening he was very shy – he looked like he wasn’t sure if he wanted to be here.

“But he has just kept coming back and overcoming his fears again and again. He’s trusted us and got involved in things and put himself right out of his comfort zone.”

Lewis now has his sights set on Gold, and is even considering a career in youth work in the future.

He says: “Some kids say ‘DofE is for my CV’, but for me it improves so many more things like my physical strength, my ability to see the beauty in things, my decision making and my ability to work with others.”

The Studio is a registered charity / community organisation in Widnes, Halton. Halton is one of the most deprived boroughs in the country and a high percentage of the young people fall within the categories of multiple deprivation.

Your support could help more young people like Lewis complete their DofE Award.