“Everyone is accepted as they are.” - We Are CITC: Pixie’s story | OneFootball

Each month, Manchester City’s Charity, City in the Community (CITC), is spotlighting its work and programmes through the voices and stories of its participants across Manchester.

This month, CITC spoke with Pixie, a CITC Mentoring participant who takes part in one-on-one sessions with CITC Mentors.

In the interview Pixie discusses the journey she has been on as part of her mentoring sessions and how they have provided skills she now uses in her daily life.

How did you find out about the Mentoring programme?

I was referred to “M Thrive” [how Pixie refers to it] via my doctors and then a CITC mentor came into the school to help me with my emotional regulation.

I especially like the football; I love football and it’s really good to get to play. We all get a chance to play. I have learnt a lot about what to do and how to play.

What was your time on the Mentoring programme like?

"I enjoyed the one-to-one time which helped me to concentrate. I don’t find it easy to mix with people and don’t make friends easily but here that doesn’t matter. Everyone is accepted as they are.

"I don’t feel silly if I don’t know something and the coaches help, which Grandma says she has seen has helped with my self-esteem. I feel better about things and think I can do things more instead of not wanting to."

What have you gone on to do since finishing the Mentoring programme?

"Since being part of the M-Thrive programme, I’ve started football training at the CITC City Girls session and continue to enjoy my swimming lessons.

"I had an amazing opportunity to meet and greet the players at a Manchester City Women’s Match after having watched the match."

How has the Mentoring programme impacted your life?

"It has really helped me to deal with my problems.

"The CITC coaches have made me feel special and it was nice to have time with one person. The coach has really helped me with how I feel, I still get angry and upset but Dad says, “do your breathing”, which the coach taught me, which I do and which helps."

What coping strategies do you now use in everyday life?

"I still use the breathing techniques, like the Roller Coaster, using my fingers to regulate my breathing when I feel upset.

"I have football and swimming to focus on, and I can remember what we talked about within sessions. I now have a quiet space at home with my fidget toys, which everyone knows is my place that I can go to if I need to."

What would you like to achieve in the future?

"I’d like to continue to learn how to handle my ADHD and maybe one day even play for Manchester City."

CITC also spoke to Pixie’s Dad asking him about the progress and change he’s seen in Pixie since she began the sessions with CITC.

He said: "I have noticed she is a lot calmer in hard to deal with situations especially if she uses the breathing techniques, which we do remind her to use. This helps her focus in general, and she is a lot happier which is nice to see."

MENTORING INFO

City in the Community empowers healthier lives with city youth through football.

To find out more, visit www.mancity.com/citc or follow @citcmancity.