I can't even begin to tell you how happy I feel when I'm doing what I love. Happiness is exactly what I feel when I think about being a beauty therapist. I've always had a passion for skin care and make up, so I ended up doing quite a lot of research into aestheticians. After that I really developed an interest in the beauty industry.
When I was 13 I moved to the UK to come and live with my dad and my step-mum. My mother was struggling financially back home and it meant that I had missed 3 years of school. We all thought the best option was for me to move here. Unfortunately the situation at home quickly became a neglectful and abusive one. By the time I was in year 9 I was failing at school and my teachers started to notice the bruises I was developing. One of my teachers really supported me and that's when the social workers stepped in. A few years back I moved into supported lodgings for care leavers provided by my local authority, that's when things got better.
I know that everyone's experience of the care system is different, but I've found that it doesn't necessarily look like the negative stereotypes presented. As long as you're in a place to receive it, there's always support available to you. That support has given me the grounding to be who and what I want to be today.
I know where I come from and I know where I want to be in this life. I now want to gain as much experience as I can and increase my knowledge of the industry. I can't wait to support my mum who has sacrificed so much for me. In a couple of years time I'd love to be working on a cruise ship or medical spa as as a beauty therapist. I also really want to visit Korea, the cornerstone of skincare! I know some of the anxieties I have as an adult come from what I experienced when I was a bit younger, but I've found that beauty therapy has given me an escape and I feel like I'm being my full self when I'm Sophia the beautician. I'm so thankful that Sabrina, who's also doing my course, told me about Beam!