When six-year-old Felicity began her Bright Futures UK programme in January 2025, she had already overcome more than most children her age. Having bravely battled leukaemia, she was finally cancer-free, yet the journey had left lasting physical challenges. The collapse of several vertebrae affected her mobility, and the medication she still relied on caused significant fatigue.

But Felicity herself was bursting with light. A bubbly girl living by the sea in Wales, she loved board games, dancing, arts and crafts—and could talk for hours about penguins and giraffes. What she needed was someone who could help her gently rebuild her confidence and skills as she transitioned back into school life.

And then she met Poppy.

A Match Filled With Kindness

Poppy, a 24-year-old physiotherapist from New Zealand, joined Bright Futures UK wanting to give back. Kind-hearted, active and creative, she was instantly a natural fit for Felicity. After their very first session, Felicity’s mum, Laura, shared: “It was wonderful, thank you. Felicity thinks Poppy is amazing.”

Together, they began working through missed Year 1 and 2 learning: number formation, counting to 20, understanding tens, addition, doubles, and playful number songs. With flashcards, paint sticks and colourful workbooks, each session became something Felicity genuinely looked forward to.

Small Steps, Big Progress

Month by month, their connection deepened—and so did Felicity’s confidence.

January – March: Felicity began contributing her own ideas and shaping what she wanted to learn. Poppy celebrated that she was “participating really well,” “communicating what she enjoys,” and “showing progression every week.”

April – July: Even during periods of fatigue, Felicity showed incredible perseverance. They shifted to earlier sessions, introduced strategies instead of memorisation, and soon she was “doing so well at doubling and halving.”

August – September: Trying new and more challenging maths felt scary at times, especially as she moved to a new school. But her resilience shone. By the end of each session, she was often asking to do more maths.

October: Poppy celebrated her young learner’s grit: “Felicity has shown great resilience this month!”

Alongside the academics, their sessions were joyful—full of laughter, creativity, and the trust that allowed Felicity to keep trying, even when topics grew tricky.

Support That Lifted a Family

Laura watched her daughter’s world change:

“Poppy is brilliant, we have found a way that works for Felicity.”

“Poppy is caring and kind.”

In June, she shared that Felicity’s number sense had “grown immensely,” and that Poppy remained kind, engaging and patient—even gently redirecting her when needed. No additional materials were required; the magic was already happening.

An Extraordinary Turnaround

In November, just before the programme ended, Laura received Felicity’s first school report since returning to mainstream learning. What she read moved her to tears—and moved all of us too.

Last year, following her illness, Felicity had scored 23 on her standard numeracy test—equivalent to a nursery-aged child. This year, after ten months of Bright Futures UK support, she scored 101 in numeracy, placing her in the top five of her entire year group.

Laura immediately wrote to Poppy: “I will be eternally grateful for the support you have given Felicity… This year, with your support and guidance, Felicity scored 101 in numeracy. She is in the top 5 of the 7/8 year olds in her school. A lot of her achievement is down to you and the care and dedication you have shown her.”

The Power of Connection

Poppy and Felicity shared 30 sessions together. As the programme neared its end, Poppy prepared to return to New Zealand. Their final meeting included a bracelet-making kit and a special advent calendar Poppy sent as a gift.

On her end-of-programme form, Poppy reflected: “I am so proud of Felicity’s resilience. She always kept trying, even when learning new concepts. She was a pleasure to teach… She showed up to every session engaged and ready to learn.”

She left with strengthened tutoring skills, a deep sense of purpose, and even encouraged friends to volunteer with Bright Futures UK.

A Lasting Impact

This programme didn’t only help Felicity catch up academically; it helped her rediscover the joy of learning, rebuild her confidence, and re-enter school life as a child who now believes she can succeed.

At Bright Futures UK, we exist for children like Felicity: young people whose education has been disrupted by medical needs, but whose potential remains limitless when given the right support.

This is the impact of one volunteer. One child. One caring connection. And it’s why we do what we do.