Christina’s Journey: Why ROSE Matters
Finishing school, facing mental health struggles, and preparing for university is a lot for anyone. For Christina, ROSE offered a place to breathe, connect, and build the confidence she needed to take her next steps.
Who’s Christina?
Christina joined ROSE back in 2022, just after finishing her A-levels. Her final year at sixth form had been a tough one; she was feeling isolated and facing anxiety, OCD compulsions, and other mental health challenges. A support worker from the community mental health team suggested the ROSE group at Kyra.
Understandably nervous, Christina brought her support worker to her first session. But it wasn’t long before those nerves gave way to something else: comfort, confidence, and connection.
“I came to ROSE not really knowing what to expect,” Christina said, “but I was hopeful that it would help me.”
It did—and then some.
What ROSE Offers
ROSE (Reaching Out, Supporting, Empowering) is a social wellbeing group for women aged 18–25 that’s been running for over six years. It offers a mix of peer support, creative activities, open discussion, and low-pressure connection.
Whether it’s crafting, cooking, journaling, or simply chatting over a cup of tea, the group is all about making space to feel heard, supported, and less alone.
The Rose group often use creativity to improve confidence and self-esteem, this poster advertises the photo exhibition they held in 2024 at Spark
Building Confidence and New Beginnings
Through ROSE, Christina found a space where she could be herself without pressure or judgment. As she prepared for university, the group helped her build confidence in social situations. Christina made friends, spoke up in seminars, and even volunteered as her course’s academic rep for three years.
“Being part of ROSE helped me lots with my confidence,” she said. “It made starting university feel less overwhelming.”
A Journey of Growth and Achievement
Since then, Christina has gone from strength to strength. She has:
- Completed a Criminology degree with First Class Honours
- Moved into her own flat
- Completed a Civil Service internship
- Landed a job as a Lived Experience Intervention Worker
- Spoke at conferences, co-hosted a podcast, and contributed to multiple youth mental health boards
- Received an award for her work as a volunteer in the Nothing About Us Without Us advisory group, supporting young people’s mental health
- Joined York Mind’s Young Person’s Steering Group, helping shape services for young people in the city
Looking Ahead
Christina is still part of ROSE, and next year she’ll join ROSE+ (our group for women aged 26–30). Her advice to anyone thinking about joining?
“Give it time and put your trust in ROSE. It’s a safe space where you are not judged, you can be yourself, and there is no expectation of you.”
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
Want to Learn More?
ROSE runs weekly at Kyra for young women aged 18–25, with a follow-on group, ROSE+, for those aged 26–30. To learn more or make a referral, email sherrie@kyra.org.uk.
If you’d like to help keep groups like these going, please consider donating or volunteering—we’d love to hear from you.
