A Northern Ireland teenager has gone on to pick up an impressive award after navigating through complex periods in his life.
Dan, 19, from Belfast, has been named as the winner of an award from The Prince’s Trust after overcoming a difficult upbringing to secure a full-time job, enjoying a sense of stability and independence for the first time in his life.
The Prince’s Trust and TK Maxx & Homesense Awards recognise young people who have succeeded against the odds, improved their chances in life and had a positive impact on their local community.
READ MORE: Belfast woman turns life around after bullying ordeal
READ MORE: Samaritans NI answered over 400 calls a day last year, new report reveals
Dan scooped the Homesense Young Achiever Award, which recognises an inspiring young person who has overcome barriers to succeed in work.
Speaking about his journey to award-winning success, Dan said: “”The Prince’s Trust helped me astronomically. It’s hard to put it into words. They gave me a lot of hope and drive in the period of my life when I needed it most.
“Life was unsettled while I was growing up. I was moving from house to house and things felt chaotic. On top of that, the pandemic made things increasingly stressful at school. Remote learning didn’t click for me and I felt isolated.”
After finishing school, Dan says he felt lost – he was homeless and didn’t know where to turn. Dan’s support worker suggested a Prince’s Trust programme. Though he was extremely nervous, he bravely took the step to join Youth Start, a self-development course which aims to help young people on the path to employment.
He added: “Around the time I heard about Youth Start, I didn’t think I could feel any lower – things couldn’t really get worse. I didn’t know where I was going to sleep each night which made me anxious. I just needed an outlet, and that’s where The Prince’s Trust came in. The opportunity to find a routine and meet new people seemed too good to miss.
“I was very nervous on the first day and considered not going. However, as soon as I stepped into the building, there was this overwhelming sense of comfort. From that day, the team supported and believed in me. Being on the programme allowed me to escape.
“It helped me tonnes and tonnes. I gained specific knowledge of the working world, made new friends and began to learn about jobs I might be interested in.”
Halfway through the programme, Dan went on a bootcamp with NatWest where he excelled and was offered a permanent, salaried job with Ulster bank – a life-changing moment.
With his first paycheque, he took a box of donuts to The Prince’s Trust Belfast Centre as a token of thanks.
“I can’t express how much independence it gives you to have an income. Nowadays, I’m able to reflect on my early years and make peace with the uneasiness that I felt. It does make me feel very proud.
“This Christmas was the first time I have been able to buy presents for those around me, which made me realise just how much things have changed.”
Dan is still enjoying working at the bank as a Telephone Agent a year later and is thriving. He is also an Apprentice Champion, helping new apprentices settle into their roles and offering his support.
He added: “This is the first time I’ve ever felt a sense of stability and I want to take things day by day. I would 100% recommend The Prince’s Trust to anyone who is thinking about seeking support. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
“I didn’t know how to feel when I’d found out I’d won the award. I was shocked and it’s all a bit surreal. I definitely had a little bit of imposter syndrome but I’m trying to give myself a pat on the back and realise how far I’ve come.”
Jo Murphy, Vice President Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Director, TJX Europe said: “We are thrilled to support the Young Achiever Award, and to celebrate inspirational stories from across the UK.
“Through our longstanding partnership with The Prince’s Trust, we’re proud to help young people overcome barriers to build a better future for themselves and have a positive impact in their communities. Congratulations to Dan and all the winners for their amazing achievements.”
Try Belfast Live Premium for FREE
TK Maxx and Homesense (TJX) have been a partner of The Prince’s Trust since 2013 and are one of The Trust’s largest delivery partners of the Get into Retail programme. This is a two-to-six-week course that develops young people’s skills in the retail sector and supports them into positive outcomes in retail.
TJX have also supported the Prince’s Trust Achieve programme since 2016, working with schools across the UK to build the confidence and teamwork skills of young people as they prepare for life after education.
Youth charity The Prince’s Trust gives young people the skills and confidence to get their lives on track. Three in four young people helped by The Prince’s Trust move into work, training or education.
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
Robert Johnson is a UK-based business writer specializing in finance and entrepreneurship. With an eye for market trends and a keen interest in the corporate world, he offers readers valuable insights into business developments.
