12 Aug 2026 | Alex Mahoney
Today we’re shining the spotlight on Ross Speight-Burns, who first started coming to Esteem in 2018. As Ross turned 27 and prepared to move onto the next stage of his life, we had the opportunity to sit down and talk with him about his journey, reflections and memories with us.
Do you remember your first visit to Esteem?
I saw a poster in the library window not long after I’d moved back to England. I was either on my way to the library or on my way back, I can’t quite remember, but I noticed the poster and decided to check it out. I asked about it and was told when I could come to a drop-in session and that I’d be paired up with someone.
My young adult buddy was Kaspa. I wasn’t sure what to expect because I wasn’t very social at school and I was quite shy, so being around lots of new people felt a bit intimidating.
How was your first visit?
It went well. I came back, so that says something! I think what really helped was that everyone was very different and all had their own “weird” things going on. It made it feel easier to be myself. A young adult called Woody especially helped with that. I didn’t feel too weird because everyone else was kind of their own weirdo too. It was just a bunch of people hanging out.
Do you remember why you originally got involved?
I saw it as a place to socialise.
How do you think you’ve changed?
I’ve opened up a lot more and I’m much more talkative now, even though I can still be a bit shy sometimes. I’ve had a lot more practice talking to people. At school I didn’t really get to join in conversations much, but at Esteem things were different. I got more confident and less shy, and I met loads of people, some with similar interests.
How did Esteem help you feel more independent?
When you suddenly have more independence, it can feel like there’s too much to deal with, especially when it’s all unfamiliar. Esteem was a good place to go because it was nearby, about a 20-minute walk from my home, which was fine for me. It was easy to access and gave me something consistent and comfortable to go to while I figured other things out.
A highlight of your time at Esteem
The Pyrenees trip was a big highlight. Hiking in the Pyrenees in France was really fun. Doing that kind of activity with other people makes it much easier to get into than doing it alone.
I think when things feel voluntary and shared, people are more enthusiastic. It’s different from school group projects that feel mandatory and not always fun. On the trip, everyone wanted to be there, which made it a better experience.
Why did you keep coming back?
Trips and activities like laser tag, Flip Out, and hikes definitely helped, but mainly it was the people. There was such a wide variety of people, and everyone was very easy to socialise with. There was a big understanding that we were all different.
There were people of different sexualities and backgrounds, but that wasn’t their whole personality, it was just part of who they were. You could be yourself in all your different forms. Gay, straight, bi, asexual. Most people didn’t make a big deal about it. It was just normal.
You got to meet people from all walks of life, a real mix of people you might not usually meet elsewhere. That variety is a really special part of Esteem.
What three words would you use to describe Esteem?
Weird, accepting, social.
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