Stories
Read More28 October 2025Thomas’ Story
I always knew what I wanted to do, but Red Balloon gave me the opportunity to actually get there. Because without them, I wouldn’t have got here.
Read More6 November 2024Julia’s Story
I started at Red Balloon at the end of year 10, terrified for my future and convinced I would end up as nothing. Instead, they showed me something I hadn’t seen before. True compassion.
Read More28 July 2023Alumni: Hannah’s Story
At Red Balloon, I had a place where I finally belonged. I was safe, I didn’t feel alone and scared anymore.
Read More14 February 2022Alumni- Mary-Jane’s Story
"If I hadn't gone to Red Balloon my life would be rubbish; I don't think things would have got better at my last school and I don't think I could have gone to another mainstream school."
Read More29 July 2021Parent’s perspective: Olivia’s story
"As a parent I cannot explain how grateful and thankful I am to Red Balloon for helping Olivia to find a path back to education again."
Read More27 July 2021The need for Red Balloon: Rachel’s story
"My hope is that I can enable children like me to access the same kind of provision that I was blessed with."
Read More15 July 2021Alumni: Jack’s story
"It’s no exaggeration to say that if it wasn’t for Red Balloon, everything I’ve done over the past ten years would have been literally impossible."
Read More4 June 2021Alumni: Josh’s story
"Like many people, my path hasn’t been a straight line from A to B. Variety has been the main thing; trying lots of different hats on and seeing how they fit me."
Read More5 March 2021Alumni: Juliet’s story
"I don't really know how it would have turned out without Red Balloon. I'm hugely grateful for them being the lifeline I needed at exactly that point in my life."
