From Care-Leaver to Venturer: How the Raleigh Bursary supported Josh
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When Josh was selected to receive the SES Raleigh Explorer Award, he couldn’t have known it would lead to one of the best experiences of his life. In September 2024 he took part in a 10-week Expedition to South Africa, where he worked on a community and environment project, as well as conquering a 19 day trek in the Drakensbergs.
Josh joined Expedition through our bursary scheme – the SES Raleigh Explorer Award – set up in collaboration with the Scientific Exploration Society to fund 15 young adults from low income backgrounds to join Expedition over the next three years.
As applications open for the 2025 SES Raleigh Explorer Award, Josh reflects on what he has learnt through his Raleigh experience and why he thinks others should take every opportunity to embrace life.

Life before Raleigh
“I’ve been born and raised in London, it has always been home for me. Growing up, life at home wasn’t easy. At the age of 17, I ended up going into care. I spent about three years moving from home to home.
“Eventually after spending some time homeless, I got an amazing social worker who really cared about me. And she managed to get me my own flat, and from there I found my independence and I got back on my own two feet, and things got much better from there.
Joining Raleigh through the SES Raleigh Explorer Award
“I had never heard of Raleigh before I came across it through the the Care Leavers’ Covenant. I saw that Raleigh were funding a few young people from low economic backgrounds to have this experience. I am a big believer in taking every opportunity that life throws at you. So I signed up!
“I had to go through quite a few interview processes to join. After applying I was asked to submit a two-minute video on why I thought I’d be good for Raleigh, and also had to send over written answers to questions. Then I had to do an interview over Zoom about my background and my life. After all of this, I eventually got an email saying I’d been selected and I was really chuffed!

My Raleigh Expedition highlights
“I think my biggest highlight is experiencing the culture in South Africa and getting to know the people and lifestyle. It’s the complete opposite to life back home. I’ve fallen in love with this way of life and the simplicity. I can’t even put into words that feeling of community you get from being here.
Trek was another massive highlight of mine because I learned so much about myself. I learned that I absolutely love trekking and I plan to trek a lot more across the UK when I get home.
Here in South Africa we got to swim in natural pools and waterfalls and there was wildlife everywhere we went. I saw zebras, giraffes, ostriches, none of which I’d ever seen before. It was just new experience after new experience. It was honestly outstanding and I’m so grateful that I came out here.
“On Raleigh you do so many things that are so different and there’s nothing like it. One day on an environment project you could be chopping down trees, making a fire break, and then the next day you’re doing soil erosion. Then you could be spending a day at a waterfall and trekking amazing landscapes. Then on community project, you’re working with the green kids and painting tables for their classrooms. Every day is different and that’s the beauty of it.

What I have learnt on Raleigh
“I have a four page list of things I’ve learned about myself from Raleigh! I think the biggest one I learned is that you can live without the luxuries of life a lot easier than you think.
I’ve learnt I’m capable of so much more than I thought I was. I always have a lot of negative thoughts and doubt in my mind about what I can do, but that’s just been blown away while here on Expedition. I struggle with my mental health, but being out here, I haven’t thought about any of that. I’ve been lighter from depression, anxiety, worry. I feel like I’m free again.
“Going without my phone as well for ten weeks has been such a wave. I’m able to think clearly and just get on with things without distraction. I am a sort of an introvert, but I realised I can socialise and I can be with people a lot more than I thought.
My plans after Raleigh
“I am planning to start a Mexican street food stall. I want to hire people who have come from difficult backgrounds – those who have maybe been homeless, been in the care system or prison. The business is called If We Can Mexican. And the whole idea is if we can, any one can.
“People’s pasts don’t define them. People can create good things from past experiences. I believe that trauma is only trauma if you don’t take a positive from it. It can always teach you something and sometimes there’s always a lesson to be learned. And that’s what the business is all about.

A message to my past self
“I came to Raleigh so nervous. Before Raleigh I’d barely even left the country before. I was stressing, overthinking, struggling to sleep. I wondered was I really capable of doing this?
“But if I could go back to that person 10 weeks ago, I would say embrace it. I think that’s what Raleigh’s taught me – take each day as it comes. Make the most of every day. Be mindful. Be present.

My message to others considering Raleigh
“Take every opportunity that comes, because there’s a reason life is throwing it at you. As a believer in God, I believe everything happens for a reason. You learn and grow from it. So be willing to learn and take in this new information and new experiences. I didn’t think I could do it before I came out here, but then I got here and realised – this is one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
Applications are now open for the SES Raleigh Explorer Award. The Award provides fully-funded places on Expeditions in South Africa or Borneo in 2025 for young people from low-income backgrounds.
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