Care home love inspired confidence for jungle trek

An 18-year-old care leaver is heading to Malaysia for a 10-week expedition trekking in the jungle and supporting village communities.

After a traumatic childhood, Milly was placed in a Newcastle children's home after a Covid pandemic lockdown ended and where she gained confidence to apply and win a place on a Raleigh International adventure in Borneo.

The teenager said she felt "loved and at home" and the experience had inspired her to be adventurous in the "actual world".

The organisation which gives young people the chance to volunteer overseas and "transforms lives", said Milly was chosen because she was "incredible".

During her time in the home Milly's support workers noticed her love for the outdoors and were impressed by her "can-do" attitude.

They encouraged her to apply for the international experience.

A spokesperson for Raleigh International said Milly was one of a "small number" of young people to win a SES Raleigh Explorer Award which made her achievement "even more special".

Milly said the application process involved multiple stages, which she found challenging.

"It was like: 'why do I think I'd be good for it, what would I value from it and what would I learn from it?' I think I just gave all the right answers."

She said she was shocked when she heard she had been successful.

"The email said you're going to Borneo and I didn't know what to do. I just thought, right - I need to get packing."

The youngster was placed in Airey children's home, which was rated outstanding by Ofsted inspectors in 2025.

"It was the home that I needed and the home that I never really got," she said.

"The carers treated me like I was their own child. It wasn't like a care home, it was like home."

Skills she learned during her care included budgeting and cooking.

"I can make the most amazing Sunday dinners now, anyone will tell you," the teenager said.

"I just got the love and care that I always wanted and it was one of the best things that's ever happened to me."

When she turned 18, Milly moved into her own home and started a work placement.

She said some of her anxieties returned, but she was determined to beat them.

"I just thought I've got the money, I really want to do this, no-one can stop me now."

Within a fortnight, to test herself she travelled to Disneyland in Paris by herself.

"I bought my Disney ears and I spent a whole two days just running round Disneyland by myself. It's all I'd dreamed of as a child."

She knows Borneo will be a very different experience.

"Being stuck in Newcastle my whole life is a bit boring and I just want to get out there and see the world in a different perspective.

"With everything that's happened to me throughout the years I just don't want to lose any more of my time."

Milly remains in regular contact with Newcastle Council support workers through the staying close programme.

Residential childcare officer Stephen Drew said: "We try to mirror a home.

"You wouldn't leave your own child, if they leave home, you would still have regular communication and we do that."

Drew said Milly was open to new experiences and "the fact she's just going to take life and grab it" was inspiring.

He also said that Milly was the first person he knew to leave care and plan to go to Borneo.

"I just want her to go have an amazing time, let life take over and just enjoy it."

Milly has always enjoyed building with lego and when she gets back from her travels she plans to train as a bricklayer.

Follow BBC Newcastle on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.