Finding My Voice Again – A Teen’s Journey with Ordinary Magic after being referred into the Connected Care Network

When I first met the team from OrdinaryMagic, I didn’t really want to talk to anyone. I was 15, I’d stopped going to school regularly, and everything just felt too much. I was helping look after my younger brother, who has additional needs, and my mum was exhausted. I used to lie awake at night worrying about her — about money, about my brother, about school. I felt like I was the only one keeping things together.

When Support Started

It started when our GP referred us into the Connected Care Network (CCN). I didn’t think much would happen — we’d had people come and go before — but this time it felt different. The Ordinary Magic worker actually listened. She didn’t just ask about my brother; she asked about me. She said I mattered too.

They worked with Mum to get her support asa carer — she got linked in with specialist carer services which Ordinary Magic referred her to as well as access to Short Breaks, which meant she finally got a rest. She also had someone she could talk to about how hard things were. I think that helped her breathe again.

Getting Back to School

For me, school had become a nightmare. I couldn’t concentrate and was behind in everything. I felt embarrassed, anxious, and angry all the time. The CCN team worked with my school, my GP, and a counsellor from Ordinary Magic to help put things in place for me.
They set up regular sessions where I could talk about what was going on, and they helped the teachers understand what it’s like when you’re caring for someone at home.

After a few months, I was back at school more often. My attendance went from 82% to 94%, and I even started enjoying being around people again. I also started a weekly group and tried boxing through Ordinary Magic — it helped me manage my stress and feel strong again.

Family Changes

Everything at home started to feel calmer. My brother got more help in school through an EHCP, and Mum said she didn’t feel like she was fighting the system on her own anymore.
The Roots & Wings team helped us get routines back — bedtimes were easier, mornings weren’t chaos anymore, and we even started having Sunday breakfast together again.

How Things Feel Now

Before all this, I used to rate my mood and wellbeing really low. When I did the SDQ (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) at the start, it came out as moderate to severe. The last time we did it, it was low to moderate, and that felt like proof that things had actually changed.

Our family’s wellbeing scores went up by 76%,which sounds like just a number — but it’s real. It means my mum smiles again. It means my brother laughs more. It means I feel like we’ve got a future again.

What I’d Say to Others

“Ordinary Magic didn’t judge us — they just helped. They understood that we needed more than one thing to change. It wasn’t just about school or counselling — it was everything working together. They gave me my confidence back, and they gave our family hope.”

Key Impact Highlights

Outcome Area / Impact

Family Wellbeing / 76% improvement in overall wellbeing

School Attendance / Increased from 82% to 94%

Child SDQ Score / Improved from Moderate/Severe to  Low/Moderate

Carer Support / Parent engaged with carer services,  improved resilience

Youth Engagement / Teen attending community activities  weekly

Emotional Health / Reported increase in self-esteem, reduced  anxiety