Sascha, 20, has come a long way since first attending the Crossroads Care Saturday Club for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) at the age of eight. Struggling to understand and manage his emotions at the time, today, he is a university student with his sights firmly set on becoming a researcher. Here, he shares how support from Crossroads Care has helped him navigate the challenges of autism, dyspraxia and ADHD — and realise his potential.
When I first started at the Saturday Club, I was struggling with my behaviour,” says Sascha. “I used to have meltdowns where I would fall on the floor, cry and get quite physical. I felt out of control and didn’t understand my emotions.”
At the time, Sascha was attending a mainstream primary school, which he found challenging due to the lack of appropriate support. Some incidents became so difficult that his mother was called to collect him. Eventually though, he moved to a school better suited to his needs.
At the Saturday Club, he discovered karate which he loved. Through regular attendance and specialist support from Sensei Tony Sakim, Sascha progressed steadily and is now a brown belt.
“Karate was difficult at first,” says Sascha. “It was hard to concentrate and remember the moves, but with encouragement I kept going. Over time, it helped me control my emotions.
“The Saturday Club is a safe space where I’ve met people I want to spend time with. It’s a great place to socialise, have fun and just be yourself.”
Today, alongside studying for a master’s degree in physics with astrophysics at King’s College London, Sascha volunteers at the karate sessions, giving something back to a place that has played such an important role in his life. Ultimately, he hopes to complete a PhD and go on to become a researcher.
“Staff at the club encourage me to be the best version of myself. Without the club, I don’t think I would have achieved so much. It’s helped to shape who I am.”
Julie Da Costa, Crossroads Care CEO, said: “Having founded the Saturday Club over 25 years ago, I have seen first-hand how children who struggle with emotional regulation, anger and conflict can transform their lives when given consistent, specialist support over time. Setting up the Saturday Club remains one of the greatest privileges of my career.”
