Deborah Cunningham
Deborah, 24, from Richmond, North Yorkshire,
was laid off from her dream job and her confidence was hit hard,
leaving home and eventually moving into housing association
accommodation. After a Get into Rural Skills course, she has now
secured a permanent conservation job at a National
Park.
Deborah was thrilled when she secured her dream job as a ground
maintenance operative at Sodexo. However, she was laid off
just seven months later which left her feeling devastated. She
applied for jobs but wasn't getting any interviews and felt like
no-one wanted to give her a chance.
Her confidence was hit hard and after a
previous family conflict she left home and eventually moved into
housing association accommodation. She saw an advert at her
local job centre for The Prince's Trust Get into Rural Skills
course. Get into is a scheme which offers short vocational
courses that develop young people's skills in a specific
sector.
She joined the course seeing it as a chance to
change her life and get back on the career ladder. The course gave
her the experience and training that she needed to fulfil her
potential, as well as giving her a huge confidence boost.
The programme included a one week work
placement with North Yorkshire Moors National Park where the group
undertook a practical path-building project in Osmotherley. Gaining
hands-on experience gave Deborah the self belief that she could
find her dream job again.
Thanks to the course, she managed to secure a
permanent job at North York Moors National Park as an Advances
Conservation Apprentice. She is now adding to her qualifications
and is doing something that she loves again. Deborah was also a
Young Ambassador to The Prince’s Trust and is now a volunteer
progression mentor where she is committed to inspiring other young
people to turn their lives around.
The Prince's Trust not only helped me get a
job, but has continued to invest in my development through training
courses. Life is so much better and I can’t believe how far I’ve
come,
she says.
Champions
We would like to acknowledge the individuals or organisations
who have played a key role in helping this young person achieve
success through their Prince’s Trust programme.
- Lucy Hornsby, Programme Manager, The Prince’s Trust
- Jo Hull, Land-based Foundation Studies Co-ordinator, Askham
Bryan College
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