dream academy stories
Self-belief for a Better Life
“Dream Academy has been a truly memorable and rewarding experience for me. I have found that I do actually believe in myself, and now believe that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
I now have the tools to truly make a difference to my life, and to plan things I want to do, growth as a person, and making a better life for me and my children.
So, I am very grateful for what Dream Academy and Alastair have done for me, for my confidence and for my self-belief. It has made me very grateful for what I have, and know that being happy and content is the most important thing.
Because of what I have learnt during my time in Dream Academy, I am now on my way to getting my first house, passing my driving test and buying my first car! These are all huge dreams to me, because of what they symbolise. These dreams, to me, symbolise independence.”
Sam
Building a stronger me
“I am a survivor of domestic abuse. There. I said it.
When I first heard about Dream Academy, I was hesitant. Why even consider it? I had barely managed to leave a controlling, abusive relationship, and every day felt like survival, not living. I was on autopilot: sleep, eat, work, repeat. It kept me moving, but I knew something was missing. The spark of life, the simple joy of waking up with purpose—it was gone.
Then I thought of my dream, what I’d called "The Pipe Dream." It was a dream not of something extravagant but of self-confidence. I wanted the confidence to know who I truly was, what I could become, and how to silence the damaging words that echoed from my past—words from my abuser that haunted me, whispered that I was worthless, that I couldn’t do anything, that I would fail, that I was nothing without them. Even though I’d left, those words lingered, clinging to my every thought. I was alive, yes, but I wasn’t really living. That was my dream: to reclaim myself.
I needed to understand self-confidence, really dig into it. What did it mean to me? What would it feel like to have it? And how would I get there? The library became my haven. I made a goal to read every day, just for a half-hour, but that half-hour each day was transformative. I learned about boundaries and how to hold them firm, like an invisible armour that protected me from those who would undermine me. I read about resilience, how to build strength so that hurtful words would lose their power over me. I even learned to embrace failure, to see that just because something didn’t go my way, another path could still open up.
It was hard at times. I remember applying for a new job during this journey and not getting it. Before, that rejection would have shattered me, and I would have spiralled into self-doubt for weeks. It would have confirmed every cruel word my abuser had drilled into me. But Dream Academy taught me a new resilience: yes, I felt sad and defeated for a bit, had my cry into a tub of ice cream, but I learned to pick myself up, ready to try again.
Today, I’m still a work in progress, but I am progressing. My team members have seen the difference in me, and I feel it too. I’m even thinking of further training outside of my current role, considering a whole new career. Just a few months ago, that would have been unimaginable.”
Kayleigh
Finding Balance: A Working Mum’s Journey to Happiness
“Balancing life as a full-time working Mum to a toddler can be intense! While my daughter, Sophie, brings immense joy to my life, the lead-up to Christmas at COOK is a whirlwind, and I barely saw her awake for weeks. My husband also works at COOK, and he understood why my time was consumed by work. Yet, I began to see a shift in Sophie’s behaviour, a clear sign she was missing me. It broke my heart, and I vowed not to let this happen again. I knew I needed to reprioritize my time.
Enter the Dream Academy. For the first time, I was able to voice my unhappiness and admit that I wanted a better balance. This was challenging because, to me, wanting to work less felt like laziness—a misconception I had to confront. With Al’s help, I set clear goals for change, including discussing my concerns with my manager, Phil. Despite my nerves, he was genuinely supportive, and together, we strategized a reduced-hours plan. Phil even encouraged me to leave on time!
With this new schedule, I now work four days a week with shorter hours, which allows me to drop Sophie off and pick her up daily. I’m the one who reads her bedtime stories and tucks her in each night. When work spills over, I handle it after she’s asleep, giving me the best of both worlds. The change in Sophie was immediate—she returned to her cheerful, well-behaved self, and the joy in our home has only grown. My Husband and I now have more quality time together too.
Without Al and the Dream Academy’s guidance, I doubt I would’ve achieved this balance so swiftly, nor sustained it. Regular check-ins with Al held me accountable and focused, and I felt a strong responsibility to stay on track. This support system made all the difference, helping me craft a happier, healthier lifestyle not just for myself but for my entire family. Thank you, Al—you’ve truly worked magic for us!”
Rediscovery Joy: From Loneliness to Connection
“All I knew was that was feeling stuck, yearning for something that would genuinely make me happier. That first conversation with Al was eye-opening. Together, we peeled back layer after layer, examining why I felt this way and what might truly bring me joy. One realisation hit me harder than anything else: I was craving connection. I’d drifted away from old friends, and my relationship with my sisters had deteriorated, but I didn’t know how to bridge those gaps. The idea of fixing these things felt daunting, almost impossible.
Recognizing my loneliness was a major turning point. For so long, I’d built walls to protect myself, and letting them down felt both terrifying and necessary. What if people didn’t respond when I reached out? What if they rejected me? But then, Al asked me a question that changed everything: “What’s the worst that could happen?” It was such a simple question, yet it lifted a weight off my shoulders. I realized that the worst outcome wasn’t really all that bad—maybe they’d ignore me, maybe nothing would change. But I had nothing to lose and so much to gain.
With Al’s help, we broke down my fears and goals into smaller, achievable steps. I began setting tiny, manageable tasks, and each small success added to my confidence. When I started reaching out to people, it was nerve-wracking but incredibly rewarding. I reconnected with old friends and even made new ones, just by taking those small, courageous steps. I went on a girls’ holiday that brought back a spark I hadn’t felt in years, and best of all, I managed to mend my relationship with my sisters.
The Dream Academy taught me something profound: often, we’re the ones holding ourselves back, afraid of what might go wrong. But sometimes, all it takes is one person in your corner, someone encouraging you to take that leap. My life is so much richer now, and for the first time in a long time, I feel genuinely happy.
So, whatever your dream—big or small—I believe you can achieve it. It all starts with that one small, brave step in the right direction.”“All knew was that was feeling stuck, yearning for something that would genuinely make me happier. That first conversation with Al was eye-opening. Together, we peeled back layer after layer, examining why I felt this way and what might truly bring me joy. One realisation hit me harder than anything else: I was craving connection. I’d drifted away from old friends, and my relationship with my sisters had deteriorated, but I didn’t know how to bridge those gaps. The idea of fixing these things felt daunting, almost impossible.
Recognizing my loneliness was a major turning point. For so long, I’d built walls to protect myself, and letting them down felt both terrifying and necessary. What if people didn’t respond when I reached out? What if they rejected me? But then, Al asked me a question that changed everything: “What’s the worst that could happen?” It was such a simple question, yet it lifted a weight off my shoulders. I realized that the worst outcome wasn’t really all that bad—maybe they’d ignore me, maybe nothing would change. But I had nothing to lose and so much to gain.
With Al’s help, we broke down my fears and goals into smaller, achievable steps. I began setting tiny, manageable tasks, and each small success added to my confidence. When I started reaching out to people, it was nerve-wracking but incredibly rewarding. I reconnected with old friends and even made new ones, just by taking those small, courageous steps. I went on a girls’ holiday that brought back a spark I hadn’t felt in years, and best of all, I managed to mend my relationship with my sisters.
The Dream Academy taught me something profound: often, we’re the ones holding ourselves back, afraid of what might go wrong. But sometimes, all it takes is one person in your corner, someone encouraging you to take that leap. My life is so much richer now, and for the first time in a long time, I feel genuinely happy.
So, whatever your dream—big or small—I believe you can achieve it. It all starts with that one small, brave step in the right direction.”
Kirsti
Writing Against the Odds: My Path to Becoming an Author
“I thought, if I’m going to take this chance, why not aim higher? Why not go for that ultimate, impossible dream—the one you daydream about but never truly believe could happen. For me, that dream was writing a book.
I was filled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. The fear of the unknown was powerful, but so was my determination. I gathered my courage and, in a shaky voice, asked for help with my dream of becoming an author.
The first session was a revelation. Alastair’s easygoing manner melted away the nerves that had knotted in my stomach, and I felt a sense of calm wash over me. That’s when the real magic began.
The biggest surprise came after that first session. As I sat down later that evening, a pen in my hand, I realized I was actually doing it—I was writing. It was a small start, but it was a start. Questions filled my mind: Am I doing it right? Can I actually pull this off? Is this just a waste of time? But I kept going, clinging to that little spark of hope.
By the time the second session rolled around, doubt had taken its usual place in my mind, casting shadows over my newfound enthusiasm. Thoughts like, What am I doing? Who am I kidding? I can’t do this! loomed large. But Alastair taught me something invaluable that day: how to silence those voices. He showed me practical ways to push back against the negativity and keep that dark cloud at bay.
And it worked. Bit by bit, I felt the shadows retreat, making space for the dream to grow. It wasn’t about erasing the doubt entirely—it was about learning to move forward even with the doubt lingering in the background.
Would I actually finish my book? Could I truly fulfill this dream of mine? I still don’t know the answer to that. But for the first time in my life, I’m giving it my all. I’m not holding back.
Thanks to the Dream Academy and Alastair, I’ve come to believe that maybe—just maybe—nothing is truly impossible. And that belief, that hope, has made all the difference.”
Robin
The Warmth of Reuniting
“When I first met Alastair at the Dream Academy, I was desperate to reclaim something I’d lost long ago: my family. Years earlier, my relationship with my mother had fractured, and by 17, I’d made the painful decision to leave home. The silence that followed stretched for years, making reconciliation seem impossible. Yet, deep down, I longed to mend those ties and have my family by my side once more.
From our first conversation, Alastair listened without judgment, offering understanding and guidance I hadn’t felt in years. He taught me to face my fears step by step, helping me find the courage to confront the unknown. The journey wasn’t easy—there were days when my anxiety felt insurmountable—but Alastair’s support kept me moving forward.
Midway through my time at the Dream Academy, my nan fell seriously ill. I knew I had to see her, even though it meant facing my mother and family after years apart. The thought filled me with dread, but I drew strength from everything Alastair had taught me. With his encouragement in mind, I stepped into that hospital room.
What followed was nothing short of miraculous. My mother and I spoke, and the years of pain began to fade. My family welcomed me back with open arms, and the bond we rebuilt was stronger than ever. Today, we spend time laughing together, cherishing the moments we’d lost.
None of this would have been possible without Alastair and the Dream Academy. His guidance changed my life, helping me achieve a dream I once thought unreachable. If you’re considering reaching out to him, take that step. It was the best decision I ever made.”