The Ulysses Trust has supported young people from Birmingham’s Tile Cross Academy’s Combined Cadet Force unit to take part in a total of 11 expeditions since 2016. This has enabled 142 young people, most facing significant disadvantage and poverty, to benefit from extraordinary outdoor activities in the UK, USA and Italy. The school is in the top 3% for deprivation according to the 2019 Index of Multiple Deprivation for England. 75% of pupils are entitled to Free School Meals and the Pupil Premium. One of the cadets who has benefitted from our support is Shiza.
Originally from Pakistan, Shiza’s family moved to the UK when she was 11 years old. Shiza’s world was turned upside down shortly after joining secondary school, when she and her brothers were split-up and taken into care which had a devasting impact on the children. Desperate to spend more time with her siblings Shiza joined her brothers at the school’s Sea Cadet Unit (set-up in 2010 as part of the Cadet Expansion Programme). This was a turning-point in her life.
Newfound confidence
With financial support from The Ulysses Trust, Shiza took part in ‘First Tracks’ at Tamworth Snowdome— a programme designed to teach young people to ski. After much success with First Tracks, and a new-found liking for snow sports, Shiza took part in Ex: Snow Camp Excel in Andorra in early 2023 (also supported by the Trust) putting her skills to the test on the real slopes and receiving a certificate for being the most improved skier (see below).
Upon returning home, with new-found confidence Shiza started to see that there was more out there for her. With support from her school, she went on to apply for a fully funded bursary at the prestigious Wellington College, where she is now studying for her A-Levels. Keen to encourage and support more young people she has also become an ambassador, speaking at school assemblies and appearing on the BBC’s Ski Sunday programme – inspiring and encouraging others to follow in her footsteps (or her ski tracks!). This inspirational story has been developed into short film by Ulysses Trust supporter BAE Systems to share Shiza’s journey.