Twins overcome post-Covid anxiety to gain school awards

Musselburgh Grammar School twins Dayle and Kerra Stewart both recently received an award each at their school’s Award Ceremony. 

The awards, in National 4 Computing Science and National 4 English respectively, would have seemed quite unimaginable only a few months ago as the twins were recovering from Covid-19.

The 16-year-olds had significantly fallen behind with school as they were suffering from long Covid after contracting the virus. As they returned to school after their prolonged absence, they both started experiencing serious anxiety.

It was at this point Dayle and Kerra, who were also struggling with dyslexia and numeracy respectively, were referred to Bridges Project. They started working with Employability Support Worker Mhairi Kiernan, funded by the East Lothian One Council Partnership, in August.

In the two months the twins have been working with Mhairi, they have been focusing on personal development and participated in group activities. Both teenagers have found this highly beneficial.

“It’s given me a lot more confidence in myself,” said Dayle.

Kerra shares her sister’s sentiment.

“It has helped me to become more confident and have higher self-esteem”, she said.

The awards they received were another major boost to their confidence.

“I was shocked at first when I received it but I was also very thrilled,” said Dayle.

“I’m very proud of myself,” Kerra added.

Mhairi is also very proud of the Musselburgh teenagers.

“I have been working with the girls weekly for a few months and I am so proud at how far they have come in this short time. Their confidence and self-esteem have grown and both are working hard to get to where they want to be. Their determination and commitment has been acknowledged by receiving these awards, showing them what they are capable of. I can’t wait to see what they achieve in the years to come,” said the Employability Support Worker.

Dayle and Kerra will continue working with Mhairi to look at skills identification and career exploration in order to decide on whether they want to stay on for sixth year at school or if they want to proceed to college. However, university is the girls’ ultimate goal.

“I want to go to university and do something in Psychology,” said Dayle.

Kerra would also like to follow the Psychology path at university.

“I want do something in Psychology and then work from there!” she said.

Both Dayle and Kerra have also expressed an interest in becoming Young Ambassadors for Bridges Project. With such inspirational stories, they would no doubt thrive in this role!