Despite facing significant challenges in her young life, Millie Coe has shown extraordinary resilience, compassion and determination, making her a truly deserving winner of this year’s Young Achiever Award.
Millie’s journey has not always been an easy one. Having entered foster care while starting high school, she found herself navigating major life changes at the same time as adjusting to a new school environment. Naturally quiet and reserved, she struggled to make friends, and her mental health was in a very dark place. However, rather than allowing these difficulties to define her, Millie chose to persevere. With support from teachers, school staff and new friendships she formed along the way, she gradually gained confidence and found a place where she felt supported and valued.
Today, one of the things 14-year-old Millie enjoys most about school is the sense of community. She speaks warmly about the wide range of groups and activities available and the staff who are always willing to help young people through difficult times. Her own experiences have inspired her to become someone others can rely on, just as she has relied on others throughout her journey. She volunteers to help others with their learning and has become a star pupil, winning awards for both science and IT.
It is her empathy and desire to help people that shines through in everything Millie does. While living in foster care, she began to notice that everyone around her was dealing with challenges of their own. Rather than standing by, she decided she wanted to make a difference wherever she could. Recognising that even small actions can have a big impact, she started looking for opportunities to support others in her community.
She said:
After a while in foster care, I watched quietly for a while and quickly realised everyone had something making life a bit harder. Some had it worse, some had it better, but everyone had something and I decided I should do something because I didn’t like standing by and doing nothing if there were things I could be doing.
One of Millie’s most impressive achievements has been taking part in a charity 5K event for Kayleigh’s Wee Stars. Through dedicated training and fundraising efforts, she raised around £120 for the charity, helping support its important work. Millie also gives her time voluntarily through her Scout group, helping leaders who have dedicated so much of their own time to supporting young people. For Millie, volunteering is about giving back and helping others whenever possible.
Looking to the future, Millie has ambitious plans. She hopes to become a GP, allowing her to continue helping people in a practical and meaningful way. Her goal is not simply to have a career in medicine but to be, in her own words, “a light in the darkness” for people facing difficult circumstances.
When I leave school I want to be a GP (general practitioner) to help other people and to be a light in the darkness that can cloud many people’s lives.
It is a powerful ambition that reflects both her maturity and her understanding of the challenges many people face.
When asked what has helped her keep going through life’s toughest moments, Millie speaks with gratitude about the people around her. She credits them with giving her strength and encouragement when she needed it most. Whether it was someone making her laugh, listening without judgement, helping her develop coping strategies or celebrating her achievements, those around her helped her believe in herself and continue moving forward.
Looking at my siblings and my mum, my family who were still hopeful and still smiling, and my friends, who I always thank for making me laugh when I wanted to cry and giving me a place to go no matter what had happened, as well as a listening ear that didn’t judge or tell other people my business, all helped. Plus my foster carers and Kate, my foster carer’s sister, who were there for me and helped me find coping mechanisms when things got hard and celebrated my little and big achievements.
Her foster carer, Mark Wylie, says he and his wife are incredibly proud of how far Millie has come.
As Millie’s foster carers, Jenny and myself are so incredibly proud of Millie for how far she has come and what she has achieved along the way. She is now flourishing into a clever and lovely young woman who makes us laugh every day.
The judges were particularly impressed by the way Millie has overcome the challenges she faced and is now thriving in all areas of her life. They also recognised her commitment to helping others through fundraising and volunteering, noting that despite everything she has experienced, she still finds time to think of those around her. As one judge reflected, “Well done Millie on turning your whole life around.”
Helen Forrest, Chief Executive of Children’s Health Scotland, said:
Millie embodies everything the Young Achiever Award stands for. Her resilience, kindness and determination to make a positive difference to the lives of others are truly inspiring. What makes Millie’s story so special is not only the challenges she has overcome, but the compassion she shows towards those around her. She is a remarkable young person and a very worthy winner.
Through her resilience, generosity and unwavering determination to help others, Millie Coe has transformed personal adversity into a source of strength and inspiration. She is a shining example of what can be achieved through courage, kindness and community spirit, and a truly worthy recipient of the Young Achiever Award 2026.
Join Us for Scottish Children’s Health Week
The Scottish Children’s Health Awards are part of Scottish Children’s Health Week, a national celebration of children and young people’s health, wellbeing and rights.
From inspiring award winner stories to activities, resources and opportunities to get involved, Scottish Children’s Health Week shines a spotlight on the importance of ensuring every child understands their rights and has the support they need to thrive.
Whether you’re a child, young person, parent, carer, professional or supporter, we’d love you to join the conversation. Share your messages of support using #MyHealthMyRights and #SCHW2026, explore this year’s activities, and help us create a Scotland where every child is #HealthRightsAware.
Visit https://www.childrenshealthscotland.org/events/scottish-childrens-health-week/ to learn more, download resources, and discover how you can take part in Scottish Children’s Health Week 2026.
Want to Nominate for 2027?
Do you know a child or young person who has shown remarkable determination, resilience and courage? Nominations for the Scottish Children’s Health Awards 2027 are now open.
To nominate someone for a Young Achiever Award, visit:
https://www.childrenshealthscotland.org/events/awards/young-achiever-award/
