Cylo's Journey of connection & direction
A safe space and a sense of direction
Cylo Clements, a young participant from Ruthin, originally from the United States, moved to the UK at the age of seven. Before joining Young and Mindful, their life mainly centred around high school, alongside occasional work such as shifts in an antique shop.
As school was coming to an end, Cylo found themselves unsure about what came next. They experienced challenges around social confidence and often found it difficult to know how to interact with new people, describing a sense of anxiety in social situations.
Young and Mindful provided an opportunity for them to step into a new environment, one where they could begin building connections, develop confidence, and find a sense of direction beyond school.
Seeking connection and confidence.
Cylo decided to join Young and Mindful at a time when they were struggling to build friendships outside of structured environments like school.
With high school coming to an end, they felt unsure how to meet people in the wider community. They saw the programme as an opportunity to step outside of that uncertainty and begin forming meaningful connections.
Cylo wanted to meet people outside of online spaces. Encouraged by their mother, who saw an opportunity for Cylo to enhance his sense of:
Connection
Meet people in the community and build friendships
Confidence
Become more comfortable interacting with others
Direction
Find structure and purpose beyond school
Connection, routine, and real-world experience.
Cylo's experience with Young and Mindful was shaped by both group sessions and their growing involvement within the organisation. Through regular attendance and volunteering, they were able to build confidence, develop practical skills, and form meaningful connections.
The most impactful elements of their journey included:
Friday Mix Sessions
Weekly sessions in Ruthin provided a consistent space to meet others and build connections. These sessions became a key part of Cylo's routine, helping them form friendships that continued outside of the group and gave them something to ground themselves in each week.
Volunteering opportunities
Cylo became involved in volunteering early on in their journey. This gave them a sense of responsibility, structure, and purpose, while also helping them build confidence in a working environment.
Supportive conversations
One-to-one conversations, particularly with Shilpa, gave Cylo the opportunity to talk through challenges in a way they hadn't been able to before. These moments helped them process difficulties and marked a turning point in recognising the impact of the programme.
Safeguarding training
Through completing Group A and Group B safeguarding training, Cylo developed an understanding of how to support both themselves and others. This training has also opened up opportunities for them to contribute to future programme delivery.
Routine and structure
Regular sessions and ongoing involvement provided consistency during a time when Cylo felt uncertain about their next steps. Having something weekly to contribute to helped create a sense of direction.
Progression into leadership
Cylo is now exploring further development opportunities, including medical training, and has been invited to support the delivery of safeguarding training in a new programme. This reflects a shift from participant to someone taking on responsibility within the organisation.
Navigating change and building confidence
- Social anxiety
- Feelings of uncertainty
- Lack of direction
- Difficulty forming connections
As Cylo became more involved with Young and Mindful, they continued to face challenges around anxiety and social interaction. Moving beyond the structure of school made these challenges more noticeable, particularly when it came to forming connections independently.
They describe finding it difficult at times to know how to interact with others, with social barriers shaped by anxiety. Alongside this, periods of uncertainty about the future left them feeling unsure and, at times, directionless.
Support, structure, and meaningful connection
- Supportive environment
- Consistent weekly sessions
- Opportunities to talk openly
- Building confidence
Through consistent involvement in the programme, Cylo began to develop new ways of coping with these challenges. Regular sessions, particularly the Friday Mix, provided a reliable space where they could connect with others in a low-pressure environment. Over time, this helped reduce the difficulty they experienced in social situations.
Supportive conversations also played a key role. Being able to talk through problems in a one-to-one setting allowed them to process challenges in a way they had previously struggled to do.
Volunteering and continued engagement with Young and Mindful gave Cylo a sense of purpose during a time when they felt uncertain about their next steps. Having something to commit to each week helped them stay focused and provided structure, while also introducing them to new responsibilities and opportunities.
This sense of direction became an important part of their growth, particularly during moments where they previously felt unsure about what to do next.
Finding direction through involvement
- Articulation
- Increased skillset
- Self reflection
- Resilience
Cylo is clear that challenges have not disappeared. In some cases, external pressures have increased. However, their ability to manage and respond to those challenges has improved.
They now feel better equipped to cope, supported by the consistency of the programme and the skills they have developed through their own involvement. Regular engagement has given them a grounding point, helping them manage difficult periods while continuing to move forward.
Confidence, direction, and stronger connections.
Cylo's confidence, sense of direction, and ability to cope with challenges has improved through their involvement with Young and Mindful. While they continue to face difficulties, they now feel better equipped to manage them and engage more positively with the outside world.
Through consistent participation, Cylo has developed:
Improved social confidence outside of school
Meaningful friendships that continue beyond the group
Better ways to navigate difficult situations
Impact of a friendly space.
Cylo describes the programme as an important and accessible way for young people to connect with others in real life, particularly at a time when many social interactions take place online.
Cylo highlights that spaces like this are increasingly rare, and that having somewhere consistent, supportive, and welcoming has made a meaningful difference — not only for Cylo, but for other young people in similar situations.
Building on growth and exploring new opportunities
Looking ahead, Cylo is continuing to build on the confidence and direction they have developed through Young and Mindful. Cylo is currently exploring further opportunities within the organisation, including:
- Continuing to volunteer and stay involved in sessions
- Supporting the delivery of safeguarding training in future programmes
- Exploring further training opportunities, including medical training
So, what's next?
Cylo continues to grow, build connections, and explore new opportunities, while developing the confidence to take on new challenges. Cylo is also developing a clearer sense of what they might want to do in the future, with a growing interest in community and charity-based work.
Expanding support, empowering more young people
Cylo's experience reflects the wider impact of Young and Mindful's work with young people. The programme continues to provide a space where individuals can connect, build confidence, and develop the skills needed to navigate challenges both now and in the future.
Ongoing support and funding will allow the programme to:
- Continue creating safe, inclusive spaces for young people
- Support more individuals experiencing social isolation or uncertainty
- Provide opportunities for skill development, training, and progression
- Expand access to programmes that promote connection and wellbeing
Reflections
Shilpa, one of the programme facilitators, reflects on Cylo's transformation:
"Cylo's growth since they first joined us has been exceptional. They have developed in confidence, ability, and direction and they are a delight to work with. My dream is to make Cylo CEO of Young and Mindful one day in the future."— Shilpa, Programme Facilitator
The impact of connection.
Cylo's journey highlights the importance of providing consistent, supportive spaces for young people during times of transition.
Through Young and Mindful, they have developed greater confidence in social situations, improved their ability to cope with challenges, and gained a stronger sense of direction.
While still exploring their future, Cylo now feels more equipped to move forward, with new opportunities, skills, and experiences shaping their next steps.
Cylo's story demonstrates how access to connection, structure, and support can have a lasting impact — not only on individuals, but on the wider community.