Overcoming adversity to thrive in athletics

For many young children, they can’t wait to step through the gates of their athletics club, meet their friends and get started. However, for Megan Andrews, it was more of a challenge.

Megan recently won the Newcomer to Volunteering award at the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Volunteer Awards, and her journey over the last couple of years has been astounding. We caught up with Megan and her mum at the awards ceremony, to learn more about her incredible journey.

Battling anxiety and taking a brave first step

As a child, Megan suffered with extreme levels of anxiety, which led her to home schooling. Her mum originally got in touch with Humberside’s Fitmums and Friends as she had shown signs of wanting to get started in the sport but wasn’t sure about taking the leap.

Over time, Megan started to come and watch the sessions but would struggle to step foot inside the hall. Club founder, Sam Barlow, explained how the coaches and helpers at Fitmums and Friends supported Megan with this transition:

"We worked with Megan over a number of months until she was able to take part in the sessions. This started with one-to-one support before being able to integrate her into the group sessions. We made adaptations such as avoiding using the whistle as we knew this would cause distress."

Megan’s mum explained how the support of the club revolutionised Megan’s outlook on being part of a community, but also her life more generally.

"From day one it was really small steps. Once she was comfortable to start sessions, they would make little changes – for example the weighted skipping ropes the other children would use were too noisy for Megan, so the club bought her a normal one. They have always welcomed her with huge smiles and never pushed her too far. They gave her fidget toys to help her calm down if she was overwhelmed. I cannot thank the staff enough, they are all great."

The power of our sport in changing lives

It was not only Megan’s involvement in the club sessions which remarkably improved, but it was also the confidence she gained.

"It means everything to see the journey she has come on for the last two years, explained Megan’s mum. From her darkest times scared to go inside, to now coaching children is incredible. Her confidence has grown significantly."

After around six months of going to the club, Megan approached founder, Sam, to say she felt ready to transition back into mainstream education – a huge feat for Megan. She has truly found her sense of belonging within the club and feels she can be herself without ever worrying what other people think.

Giving back to the local children

Megan has completed her Leading Athletics qualification and is now supporting the delivery of sessions to athletes aged 5 to 18 – which Sam Barlow says has brought incredible support to the coaching team:

In addition to supporting such a wide range of ages, Megan is also passionate about helping those children with additional needs. Through her kind and caring nature, the children really engage with her and the activity.

"Due to her own struggles with anxiety, Megan is really sensitive and perceptive to the needs of the young people. She really understands what it can be like to take part in a session, feel worried or find it hard to engage. She is a confident and valued member of the team, and it is a joy seeing her coach."

Megan’s mum was overjoyed to see her recognised for her achievements at the Regional Volunteer Awards.

"It means everything to me and Megan. To see the journey she has been on for the last two years, being scared to go and join to now giving something back to the children and winning this award, it’s fantastic."

On receiving the award, Megan was asked what it means to her to be a volunteer at Fitmums and Friends, stating:

"Volunteering to me means helping others, especially like the volunteers who helped me when I needed it. It makes me feel proud to look what the children have achieved and knowing I have helped them in some sense gives me a lot of happiness. I am enjoying the coaching journey so far, and seeing the children grow is the best part."

Watch her nomination video

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