Thread didn’t begin as a business plan. It began as a question: what would learning look like if young people felt safe, unhurried and believed in?

I’ve worked with teenagers for years and I know this — when you give them space, patience and creative freedom, they rise. Thread is built on that simple idea.

Before founding Thread, I was a secondary school art teacher. I saw the power of creativity to unlock confidence, but I also saw how easily young people can feel defined by targets, grades and expectations. I wanted to build something different. A place where they are seen first, and assessed second.

Thread is that place.

• Every young person has ability, even if it doesn’t fit neatly into a box.

• Confidence grows through encouragement, not pressure.

• Creativity is not an extra. It is a powerful tool for wellbeing and learning.

• Progress looks different for everyone, and small steps matter.

• When young people feel safe and valued, they find their voice.