A Dundee woman who turned her life around with help from the Prince’s Trust, has won a prestigious accolade.
Rachel Oxley, 21, was one of three people nominated for the HSBC Breakthrough Award at the Prince’s Trust & Samsung Celebrate Success Awards held in Glasgow last night.
The awards honour the progress of young people who have developed new skills to make positive steps in facing their challenges and stabilising their lives.
Rachel’s life began to crumble when her mother had an operation to remove a rare brain tumour with only 40% chance of surviving.
Lacking confidence and feeling uncertain, Rachel joined a Prince’s Trust programme and blossomed. She now hopes to develop a career in art therapy.
“Any chance for a future was non-existent I had no self-belief and constantly doubted my abilities,” she stated.
She was directed by her community health nurse to the Prince’s Trust programme aimed at improvingthe confidence and employability prospects of unemployed young people.
“I was petrified of groups, and didn’t think I’d be able to cope, but the support I got from my team leader was incredible and helped me overcome my fears,” she said.
She became aware of her qualities, learned how to put them to use, and overcame her fear of groups by leading and supporting other young people who were struggling.
She began volunteering as a team mentor, and the support Rachel has given to young people has helped them to achieve things they didn’t believe possible.
Tracy Gerard, head of First Direct, HSBC, said: “We are delighted to congratulate Rachel on winning the HSBC Breakthrough Award, which recognises young people who have turned their lives around despite numerous challenges. We have been hugely impressed by her achievements and wish her the very best for the future.”
To help mark the tenth anniversary of the awards former winner Sara Lyttle, 26, also from Dundee, who was presented with her Educational Achiever of the Year Award by the Duke of Rothesay a decade ago, joined Rachel last night.
Sara struggled at school but when she joined the Prince’s Trust xl club she discovered a passion for learning. Now completing her final year of a degree at the University of AbertayDundee, Sara plans to progress to a postgraduate degree in teaching.