Having someone in our lives who inspires us can offer encouragement and motivation, while also supporting our wellbeing, mental health and everyday resilience.
Inspiration helps young people feel seen and supported - particularly during those important adolescent years. We asked students from our TY Programme to tell us about the people in their lives that inspire them.
Parents as pillars of support
Parents featured prominently throughout the responses from our TY participants. Students spoke about mothers and fathers who are hardworking, ambitious and deeply committed to their families. Many expressed gratitude for parents who “do so much for my siblings and me”, or who continue to work hard every day to provide stability and support.
Recognising this effort helps young people feel secure and cared for - an important foundation for positive mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Positive emotional connection
Emotional support and positivity also emerged as powerful sources of inspiration. One student described their mum as a “built-in best friend” who always chooses positive words over negative ones. Others spoke about parents who are fun, easy to talk to, or who make everyday life feel brighter and more interesting.
Feeling safe to talk openly, be yourself, and feel understood plays a vital role in wellbeing, particularly during adolescence.
Learning resilience through others
Resilience was a recurring theme across many reflections. One student shared admiration for a Mum who consistently advocates for them with doctors and school, while also managing her own illness. Others spoke about cousins, siblings and older brothers they described as strong, resilient and courageous - including those who had built independent lives abroad.
These stories highlight how resilience and determination can inspire confidence and strength in others.
Inspiration close to home
Taken together, these reflections show the value of pausing to recognise the people who inspire us. They highlight the importance of meaningful relationships and strong connections, which can support emotional wellbeing and help young people feel grounded and understood.
As these students remind us, inspiration is often found close to home - in ordinary people doing extraordinary things, simply by being there.
See our students' responses below:
I find my babcia (granny) really inspiring as I feel like she is a very strong person mentally and she’s always kind to everyone
The person who inspires me the most is my dad because he is hard working and ambitious
I chose my cousin inspires me because she's the strongest and most resilient girl I know!
My mum inspires me because she is caring in hardworking
My grandad because of his achievements in life
My older brother as he is working in Australia
My mum as she inspires me because she’s kind and does so much for my siblings and I
I am grateful for my mum because she is always working hard to help my family
I am grateful for my dad because he's hard working and organised
I am most grateful for my mam. She’s a built-in best friend and always speaks positively instead of negatively!
My Mam, because she advocates for me constantly with doctors and my school even with her own illness
The people who inspire me most is my grandad and my mam as they are both hardworking, determined
My Dad is so fun and easy to talk to. He makes every day better and more interesting!
The person who inspires me is my mom because she sacrificed a lot for me and has taught me a lot!
