Amari*, 13, lives in London with his parents and two siblings, and he shares a particularly close bond with his mother. Despite the love and support around him, Amari often struggled with his self-worth and found it difficult to believe he deserved the care and encouragement he received from his family. 

Amari was referred to School Of Hard Knocks (SOHK) because he was finding it difficult to regulate his emotions and manage challenging situations in school. Negative interactions or setbacks could quickly cause him to disengage, making it harder for him to participate positively in lessons and reach his potential. 

When he first joined the programme, Amari was reluctant to engage. A passionate football fan, he saw little value in rugby and initially questioned whether the sessions were worth his time. He was often frustrated by the behaviour of others and could be quick to withdraw when things did not go as he expected. In school, receiving a negative behaviour point frequently led to him shutting down entirely, making emotional regulation a key focus of his support. 

At the heart of many of these challenges was a belief that people, particularly teachers, were against him. This mindset often left him defensive and unable to see situations from a different perspective. 

Over the past year with consistent support, Amari has made significant progress while on the SOHK programme. Through mentoring and practical strategies provided, he has developed greater self-awareness and resilience. He has learned how to pause, reflect, and respond more positively when faced with setbacks.  

The change has been noticeable both on and off the programme. Amari is more level-headed, mature, and confident in his interactions with others. Most importantly, he has transformed his relationships with teachers, developing a greater understanding of expectations and learning how to communicate more effectively when challenges arise. This growth has translated directly into the classroom, where he is now earning more positive points than negative and demonstrating greater focus and engagement in his learning. 

“Amari’s story shows that sometimes the biggest change is not in a young person’s circumstances, but in how they see themselves and the world around them. By building confidence, emotional resilience, and healthier relationships, it is wonderful to see that he is now approaching both school and his future with greater optimism, maturity, and belief in what he can achieve.”

– SOHK delivery team 

Today, Amari enjoys coming to school and has a strong group of friends and he has developed stronger relationships and a greater sense of belonging within the school community. 

Like many young people his age, Amari has big dreams for the future. He would love to play professional football one day. While continuing to encourage that ambition, SOHK has helped him understand the importance of keeping his options open. Together, we have explored how hard work in school can create multiple pathways to success and happiness. 

*Name and image have been changed to protect the identity of our beneficiary.