The Prince’s Trust Get Into Social Care programme is helping local young people overcome barriers to employment in Northern Ireland.
Among them is Belfast woman Ashleigh Murray , 20, who despite a traumatic childhood, has secured a job which she hopes will put her on course to her dream career working with people who have mental health problems.
“I always knew what I wanted to do but had nowhere to turn as I had no experience or qualifications for other jobs or courses,” said Ashleigh who had a traumatic upbringing which held her back at school and led to bullying.
As a result she had a lonely childhood and left full time education with no qualifications or experience of the real world.
In February 2011, however, she heard about The Prince’s Trust Get into Social Care programme.
“From day one, I knew the four-week course was for her. I gained first aid and care certificates, and am now working full time as a care assistant in Cregagh Nursing Home, where I’ve been in post for just over three months, assisting residents with personal care in the mornings, serving breakfast, keeping charts up to date and helping to maintain the residents physical and mental health.
“The Princes Trust took me under their wing and helped me develop my personal skills, understand the caring sector better and gave me the qualifications I needed to get started in my career.
“I’m currently working full time, while studying counselling and volunteering as much as I can for The Prince’s Trust. I hope to go on to do more studying and progress in my career.
“The past 14 months have been such an amazing journey for me. With the help from The Prince’s Trust I have completely turned my life around. I was at such a low point with no real hope for the future and now I have a full time job doing what I love, and spreading the word to encourage and help other young people through my role as an ambassador for the Trust.”
Ashleigh recently won the Breakthrough category at the prestigious Prince’s Trust L’Oreal Paris Celebrate Success Awards in London which honour young people who have overcome significant challenges from drug addiction and depression to long-term unemployment and homelessness.