Kelly McDermott
Kelly’s childhood was turbulent and traumatic.
When she was nine, her Mum had a breakdown following years in an
abusive relationship, and Kelly went into care. Although eventually
fostered by a loving family, it had a massive impact on her.
Kelly had a hearing impairment, but
bullying meant she hated wearing her hearing aid and so struggled
along without it. Kelly rebelled, was in constant trouble and was
asked to leave her school.
At 14, Kelly began to settle at a new school,
Whitland Comprehensive, and later gained some GCSEs and progressed
to sixth form, where at 18 she started an NVQ in Health and Social
Care. Realising she enjoyed working with children, Kelly planned to
enrol in a teacher training course the following term.
However, Kelly discovered she was pregnant and
was initially devastated that her plans had been scuppered. More
trauma followed for Kelly when baby Joshua was diagnosed with
cerebral palsy at six months of age. Kelly was at an all-time low
and she spent three years attending hospital every day to try to
get the support she needed for Joshua.
When Joshua started school, Kelly began to
concentrate on her career again. She obtained a childcare diploma
and began running a local playgroup, then qualified as a
childminder. Kelly met her future husband Tim in 2000 and they had
a second child, Faith in 2005. Due to Joshua’s needs, Kelly found
it difficult to hold down a job. She desperately wanted to pursue
her childminding career and felt helpless.
When she approached The Prince’s Trust
Enterprise Programme Kelly had little self-esteem and no confidence
to market her business, despite being an excellent childminder with
a good business idea. Gradually, with the help of Trust executive
Lee Morgan, Kelly began to realise she had had to be proactive
about her business marketing. Her passion and determination began
to shine through and she attracted clients from many local
businesses and individuals. Kelly’s business became successful and
began providing income for her family.
However, the worst tragedy of all was to
strike in May this year when 12 year old Joshua died in his sleep.
With the support of husband Tim, Kelly is doing her best to
celebrate her wonderful son’s life and has recently converted
Joshua’s room into a playroom for the children she looks after, as
he loved listening to them playing.
Kelly said:,
Despite everything I’ve been through I was
thrilled to be able to set up my business. The Trust really helped
me when I needed guidance, and I am so amazed to have been
shortlisted for this award – it’s really given me something to look
forward to.
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.
- Lee Morgan, Programme Executive, The Prince’s Trust