From Care Home to Jungle Expedition
An 18-year-old care leaver, Milly, is preparing to embark on a 10-week expedition in Malaysia, trekking through the jungle and supporting local village communities.
Following a difficult childhood, Milly was placed in a Newcastle children's home after the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown ended. It was there that she gained the confidence to apply for and secure a place on a Raleigh International adventure in Borneo.
"I felt loved and at home,"Milly said, adding that the experience inspired her to be adventurous in the "actual world."
The organisation, which offers young people opportunities to volunteer overseas and aims to "transform lives," described Milly as "incredible" and selected her for the expedition.
Support and Encouragement in Care
During her time at the children's home, Milly's support workers recognized her passion 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 noted that Milly was among a "small number" of young people awarded the SES Raleigh Explorer Award, making her achievement "even more special."
Milly described the application process as involving 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 was surprised when she received the acceptance email.
"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."
Life at Airey Children's Home
Milly 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."
During her time there, Milly learned practical skills such as budgeting and cooking.
"I can make the most amazing Sunday dinners now, anyone will tell you,"she 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."
Transition to Independence
Upon turning 18, Milly moved into her own home and began a work placement. Although some anxieties resurfaced, she was determined to overcome them.
"I just thought I've got the money, I really want to do this, no-one can stop me now."
To challenge herself, within two weeks she travelled alone to Disneyland Paris.
"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."
Milly acknowledged that her upcoming trip to Borneo would 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."
Ongoing Support and Future Plans
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 described Milly as open to new experiences and found her determination inspiring.
"The fact she's just going to take life and grab it"was motivating, he said.
He added that Milly was the first person he knew to leave care and plan a trip 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 plans to train as a bricklayer after her travels.
She also needs to prepare a long list of equipment for her expedition.
