From Self-Doubt to Centre Stage: Finding Confidence Through Creativity 

Iain McKinnon, Creative Writing Tutor at Vibe, shares how creative writing and music can help young people rebuild confidence, rediscover their strengths and find their voice.

When author Iain McKinnon (pictured) joined Donaldson’s Vibe service three years ago, he brought with him a passion for storytelling. Since then, he has supported young people to explore a wide range of creative outlets, from fiction and poetry to songwriting and lyric writing.

But one lesson became clear very quickly. 

“I quickly discovered that a one-size-fits-all structure doesn’t help,” says Iain. “It’s about getting to know the individual, understanding what they love and enjoy, and tailoring sessions around that.” 

That personalised approach has shaped everything from poetry workshops to essay-writing sessions. For one young person, however, it opened the door to something even more transformative: music. 

Finding a Voice Through Music 

For this young person, mainstream school had become a significant challenge. Confidence was low and education felt increasingly difficult to engage with. 

Everything began to change when they started bringing their guitar into Vibe. 

Music quickly became more than a hobby. It gave them a way to express themselves, connect with others and build friendships with their peers. 

Recognising this passion, Iain used music as a pathway into learning. Together, they explored lyric structures, analysed songs and examined how great songwriting works. Over the following months, they wrote two original songs. 

The impact went far beyond developing writing skills, and through music, the young person found a voice. 

As their confidence grew, so did their ambitions. Alongside their creative work, they remained committed to their studies and successfully achieved National 3 qualifications in English, Maths and Music. 

When the time came to consider life beyond school, Vibe worked closely with their school in Edinburgh to support the next stage of their journey. 

That support helped them secure a place at music college. 

The transition was remarkable. From writing lyrics in a quiet room at Vibe, they moved into a busy college environment where they could continue pursuing their passion. This September, they will progress to their next college course, with plans to study higher-level English and Maths and longer-term ambitions of attending university. 

For Iain, the most rewarding moment came recently when he watched them perform live in a battle of the bands competition. 

Seeing a young person who had once struggled in education confidently command a stage was a powerful reminder of what can happen when young people are given the right support and opportunities. 

“A lot of our young people go on to college, which is fantastic,” says Iain. “It makes me feel warm to the bottom of my soul. These young people who had disconnected from school are now engaging with things they are truly passionate about, and they’re succeeding.” 

A Safe Place to Learn and Grow 

For many neurodivergent young people, mainstream education can present significant challenges. By the time they arrive at Vibe, some may have been out of learning for an extended period, which can have a profound impact on confidence and self-belief. 

At Vibe, we take the time to understand each young person’s interests, strengths and aspirations. By building learning experiences around what excites them, we help them reconnect with education, broaden their horizons and discover new possibilities for the future. Ultimately, it’s about supporting them to reconnect with who they are and find their own voice. 

The story of this young musician is just one example of how finding the right creative outlet can unlock confidence, inspire ambition and change the course of a young person’s journey. 

Find out more about Vibe.