North West
Celebrate Success Awards 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.
The ceremony took place at Blackburn Rovers
Football Club on Thursday 22nd October, and was attended by 350
guests including club manager Sam Allerdyce and footballers Steven
Reid, Gordon Taylor, Jimmy Armfield.
Fire & Rescue Services Young Achiever of the Year
Award
Adam Turner
Adam had been unemployed for eight months. Forced to move into
the YMCA after a family break-up, Adam’s girlfriend then got
pregnant. He worked hard and became an apprentice at a garage.
During this time he got a flat and a car, and when his daughter
was born he felt on top of the world. Then he found out his
girlfriend was cheating on him.
She took their daughter and left. Adam lost his job through
depressive incidents and he started to drink heavily. He felt like
everything good in his life had gone – his family, girlfriend,
daughter and his job. Adam took a huge overdose and ended up in
hospital.
His GP recommended he contact The Prince’s Trust. Adam joined
the Team programme, made new friends, rebuilt his confidence and
became proud of himself. The final presentation allowed him to
renew the relationship with his parents.
Adam completed an access course at college and has since taken
up a place at Chester University to study zoology.
The Federation of Small Businesses Enterprise
Award
Mark Livsey – Parcel Partners
Mark enjoyed sport as a young man but at 18, developed the onset
of muscular dystrophy. The condition progressed and by his
mid-twenties Mark was registered disabled.
As a once high achiever Mark found he was being rejected at the
interview stage of jobs, he believes due to his obvious immobility.
This led to low self-esteem and emotional problems.
Mark had been unemployed for 18 months. His research showed
major parcel delivery companies ran sufficient vehicles to meet 80%
of their deliveries and subcontracted the rest through local
operators. Mark felt he could service this demand and took his
proposal to Nightfreight. They agreed to a contract and Mark came
to The Trust to help him make this business a reality.
In 2007 Parcel Partners had two vans and one customer. They now
have 20 vans and more customers, including FedEx, UK Mail,
CityLink, and Medline.
Mark recently got married, has two children and a lovely home.
His life is back on track and he’s very positive about the
future.
Pennine
Lancashire Inspiring Leaders Award
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and the Lancashire
Constabulary
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) have been involved
with The Trust for over 20 years and a delivery partner for the
Team programme for eight years.
The principal partner in delivering Team for the LFRS are the
Lancashire Constabulary, who provide significant support through
staff secondment into Team Leader positions. Additionally
commitment to The Trust now includes Police Support Staff. It
increases their knowledge and skill base in dealing with some of
the more challenging youth groups in the community.
Lancashire Constabulary also has a network of Youth Involvement
Officers who support xl clubs in 11 local schools. These Officers
also use The Trust as an intervention when holding their Prevent
and Deter meetings, to identify young people on the verge of
offending.
The joint commitment of these two professional organisations saw
346 young people supported through the Team programme in the year
2008/9.
Northcote Prince's Trust Staff Award
Liz Thornber
As Programme Executive Volunteers, Liz is responsible for
recruiting, training and managing all volunteers within the
Merseyside and Cheshire districts. Liz also delivers Business
Skills training to young Business Programme applicants.
A consummate professional, Liz possesses a genuine passion for
The Trust and its values. She is always the first to offer help,
even in her spare time.
One project Liz initiated really stood out for her colleagues.
Liz felt an Exit Guide was needed, for the young people who
complete Trust programmes. The guide details key agencies,
educational and employment opportunities, and relevant contacts.
Liz compiled this document outside of normal working hours.
Liz manages to make everyone feel they’re special and this is
reflected in the way she is able to maintain specialist mentors and
volunteer coordinators. She goes out of her way to ensure the
volunteers always have up-to-date information about The Trust and
that they feel a part of the regional team.
The Manchester
College Community Impact Award
U-Turn
This Community Cash grant was awarded to help a group of young
people set-up activities promoting a healthier, safer lifestyle for
themselves and the Knowsley community.
The group, who have all overcome huge barriers in their lives,
created U-Turn, which uses alternative activities to change the
behaviour and lives of young people.
Project Leader Douglas Sembuuze came from Uganda and brought
with him a wealth of experience of working with disadvantaged young
people. He was surprised to find gun and street crime so rife in
the UK.
U-Turn offers urban arts as a tool to engage young people, dance
sessions and free running classes, and a safe haven. Young people
are encouraged to attend rather than hang around the streets. By
creating a safe place to go, attendees eventually look at the whole
issue of healthy living, a life without drugs, alcohol, crime and
street gang culture.
The centre regularly works with a group of 200 young people and
has 20 dedicated volunteers.
Lancashire Constabulary Volunteer of the Year
Award
John Gibson
After 12 years working with The Trust, John is seen as a member
of staff among his Colleagues. His dedication to his role is truly
inspirational.
It was through HRH The Prince of Wales himself that John first
heard about The Trust, at an event at the Manchester Theatre. After
hearing the President speak passionately about the work of his
Trust, John started with his first mentees in 1998.
After retiring in 2004, John started working in the Manchester
office four mornings a week as Development Awards Administrator. He
manages the Development Award process and updates the database with
all new client details.
Following some research, John helped eight young people secure
funding through the Jason Kanabus Fund, which provides financial
support for agricultural and farming courses.
During his time in this role, John has supported more than 500
young people and brought in over £6,000 in funding. The time he
gives results in around 1,000 hours per year.