12-25 Pathways Testimonials
Each person in this family gives their time, creativity and kindness to help others feel seen, valued and never alone.
From young mentors to experienced performers, every smile, every workshop and every magical moment begins with someone here — making a real difference.
Letitia Oldman
“I first started Your Love Rara when I was 15 and mostly did face painting at events. I have always been very creative and I am grateful I could bring art into my first job.
Fast forward to now, I’m a tattoo artist and I’ve been tattooing for just over 3 years. It’s amazing to look back and see how far I’ve come doing something I genuinely love.
Your Love Rara was part of that journey, and I hope my story can inspire young people to follow their passions too ”
Cameron
” I started volunteering with Your Love Rara when I was 8, and stuck with it through to 18.
I gained so many transferable skills that have helped me so much, but more than that, I found a community!
Your Love Rara is an amazing inclusive community full of welcoming and friendly people who are all so committed and hard working. I will always cherish not only the experiences that I have had at Your Love Rara, but also the people I have met!”
Katie
“I first joined Your Love Rara in summer 2016, performing as a dancer in the Big Summer Blowout show. Later that year, I became a regular entertainer, appearing at parties and events as a princess, mermaid, and a variety of other much-loved characters. Alongside this, I regularly performed as a dancer at events and supported the holiday camp team during the Easter and summer breaks. During my time with Your Love Rara, I also took part in hospital visits and charity swims, helping to create magical experiences for children and families.
In 2019, I took on the leading role of Alice in the Big Summer Blowout production of Alice in Wonderland. Later that autumn, I moved to Glasgow to study Scots Law at the University of Glasgow. I graduated in 2023 with a First-Class degree before completing my Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in 2024.
Following my studies, I worked as a real estate paralegal from April to July 2024 before taking time out to travel across Southeast Asia. I now work as a trainee solicitor at Shoosmiths and am due to qualify as a solicitor in September 2026, specialising in employment law.”
Freya
“I first started at Your Love Rara over 10 years ago, taking part in the drama classes in my local village. They increased my confidence a lot. I started to help out in the younger drama classes, helping the children with instructions and finalising performance ideas.
I then began to volunteer with Your Love Rara, and helped out with pool parties and mermaid swim meets. It was so much fun, and I even got the chance to wear a mermaid tail 🧜♀️
The opportunity was presented to me to be a seasonal staff member in the busy Christmas season around 2021. I got to be an Elf during workshops and Christmas discos, and got to see how magical Your Love Rara truly is, as children meet their favourite characters, princes, and princesses.
Over the past 2 years, I have been an entertainer at Your Love Rara. I have dressed up in magical costumes, led events and parties, and become a camp coach too! I was incredibly lucky to have been granted the chance to complete my swim coach training, and now help children learn to swim in the holiday camps!
Since leaving school, I have been given the responsibility of leading Messy Play and Youth Club, and it has allowed me to enhance my skills around working with children of all ages, and ensuring they are learning new skills through sensory play and key themes for each week. Your Love Rara has truly made me into the person I am today, and I am grateful that.
Your Love Rara has been part of my life from childhood to adulthood! “
Ellie May
“When I first started volunteering at Your Love Rara I was only 13 years old. I struggled with confidence and definitely didn’t teeth smile 🤣
Since joining them, my confidence has grown so much I’ve achieved so many great things: health and food hygiene, safeguarding in children training, etc.
I’ve also learned amazing skills like face painting, balloon modelling and glitter tattoos. I’ve learned how to be confident and lead events on my own. I’ve had also amazing opportunities like meeting the lord provost”
Amy
“I’ve been part of the Your Love Rara family for 4 years. It was my very first job, and I still remember walking into the group interview and instantly feeling so comfortable with Zara, even though we had only just met. Over the years I’ve worn quite a few hats: entertainer, camp coach, lead, volunteer, mentor, leading messy play sessions, and eventually joining the management team.
I’ve loved every role and opportunity I’ve had with Your Love Rara, whether it was parties, events, hospital visits, charity fundraisers, or taking more of a back seat and helping others learn and grow. There’s definitely been lots of glitter, chaos, and costume changes along the way too
I have so many amazing memories from my time at Your Love Rara, but my favourite would have to be the fundraiser we were part of at Banana Moon for two little girls, Molly and Megan. There was so much love in the room for those wee girls. A year later, I saw Molly again at our 10-year show. She gave me the biggest hug, and hearing how well she was doing while seeing her smiling and taking everything in, was so special. Such incredible girls .
Some of my best memories and closest friendships have come from being part of Your Love Rara. Watching children grow in confidence, seeing families make memories, and being part of so many special moments is something I’ll always be grateful for. Your Love Rara helped me grow so much as a person and gave me confidence, friendships, and memories I’ll carry with me forever.
I’m now working in full-time in childcare, and I honestly can’t thank Your Love Rara and the whole team enough for the experience, support, and training that helped me get to this point.
I’m still part of the family and hope to see everyone soon! Because as we always say… once you’re in, you never truly leave
Would you like to make something meaningful?
If you’d love to build confidence, learn new skills and make a real difference in the lives of children and young people, there’s a place here for you.
Our volunteers come from all backgrounds — what they share is kindness, creativity and the desire to help others feel seen and supported.
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