Celebrate Success West Midlands 2009
The Prince’s Trust Celebrate Success Awards
honour the achievements of disadvantaged young people supported by
The Trust who have succeeded against the odds, improved their
chances in life and had a positive impact on their local
community.
All the finalists have been selected from young
people supported by The Trust in the West Midlands over
the past year. The dedicated support provided by Prince’s Trust
volunteers, partner organisations and staff throughout West
Midlands was also recognised at the ceremony.
Wolverhampton City Council Young Achiever of the Year
Award
Benjamin Williams
Involved with drugs from the early age of 12, Benji’s life was
spiralling out of control. His troubled lifestyle led to several
prison sentences.
His involvement with drugs eventually resulted in Benji
suffering a violent attack – he was shot in the leg. At this point
he knew he had to change.
A police officer suggested he try the Team programme. Benji
lacked direction and external support. Team completely turned
Benji’s life around.
Since Team he has trained to be a Youth Worker and a football
coach. He is also proud to be a Young Ambassador for The Trust and
wants to help more people to change their lives.
FedEx UK Educational Achiever
Paul Fearnall
Paul attended special schools all his life. Despite being
bright, he found formal education tough and played up a lot.
With help from xl and his school, Paul developed his outlook on
life. He gained work experience at an outdoor education centre and
completed a placement at a motor vehicle training facility.
Paul recently started a full-time motor vehicle course at
college and credits the skills he developed on xl and his other
school placements for his enthusiasm for further
education.
The Federation of Small Businesses Enterprise Award
Claire Van Looy and Kate Trussell – Teme Valley
Care
Facing long term unemployment, Claire and Kate decided to take
control of their own futures. Recognising a gap in the market, they
approached The Trust in order to start Teme Valley Care.
The energy and commitment that they have put into their business
enables them to provide excellent care services for the elderly and
disabled.
Teme Valley Care has filled a void in the local community and
improved the lives of many people.
Birmingham Metropolitan College Inspiring Leaders
Award
Karen Takarangi
Karen started delivering xl at Grace Academy in September 2008
when she took on a very disaffected group.
Recognising immediately how xl can be used to re-engage
vulnerable young people, Karen’s infectious enthusiasm and energy
has gained her respect from the young people she supports and
colleagues alike.
In the space of a year Karen transformed her xl club into a
group of motivated, polite and well-presented individuals with a
bright future ahead of them.
Capgemini Community Impact Award
Youth Regeneration Initiative
As a reformed addict, Jim Dale was determined to help other
young people avoid the mistakes he had made.
Involved in drugs from the age of 12, Jim left school with no
formal qualifications. Jim secured a Community Cash Award to set up
the Youth Regeneration Initiative, workshops which explore the
issues of crime, addiction and mental distress with young people at
risk of offending and addiction.
The project has excelled and Jim now works with local charities
and the police to help more young people.
Michelin Tyre plc Volunteer of the Year Award
Peter Beer
Peter has been inspiring young people since 1976. Running youth
clubs since then has enabled him to fully understand young
people.
As an Awards Assessor, Peter has a great way of helping them to
build their confidence to progress back into education, training
and employment.
Peter has a proactive approach and promotes The Trust at every
opportunity. He has dedicated his life to supporting young people
in the area, looking beyond their problems and focusing on their
potential. His commitment is truly an inspiration to us all.
The Prince's Trust Staff Award
Christine Sutcliffe
With the responsibility of delivering Community Cash and
Development Awards to disadvantaged young people, Christine works
hard to achieve her objectives.
In 2008/9, Christine helped to deliver 40 Community Cash Awards
and supported more than 200 young people to successfully complete
community projects. She is straight-talking, passionate and
supportive.
Christine’s enthusiasm knows no bounds – she continually finds
ways to improve the way Awards are delivered. Her colleagues find
her a pleasure to work with and she is quick to make the young
people she helps feel at ease.
Regularly attending project launch events and Team presentations
in her own time, it’s clear Christine loves her job and is a real
asset to The Prince’s Trust.