Young Scots recognised for success in face of adversity

YOUNG Scots disadvantaged by family tragedy, ineffective education and lack of opportunity have been recognised by the Prince’s Trust for their work in helping others.

The Trust and L’Oreal Paris gave seven awards to six “outstanding” young people and one youth group at the Celebrate Success ceremony at Prestonfield House in Edinburgh yesterday.

The Prince’s Trust Scotland provides personal development and vocational programmes for people aged 13 to 25 who are not in education, employment or training.

Anthony O’Neill, 22, from Glasgow, won the Enterprise Award sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland. Mr O’Neill started his first business while he was still at school, selling bars of macaroon and tablet to his neighbours.

However, his ambitions were cut short when his father died and his mother was diagnosed with cancer just two months later. Mr O’Neill became her carer and struggled with dyslexia, which made his efforts to start his own business even harder.

After discovering the Prince’s Trust’s Enterprise Programme, the young entrepreneur was soon able to learn the basics of running a business, and now manages a property maintenance company in Glasgow.

He also benefited from a loan from the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust, which gives start-ups by young people the initial capital they need to start trading. Mr O’Neill is now also a Prince’s Trust Young Ambassador and gives support and advice to other entrepreneurs.

Other award winners included Casey Carmichael, 20, from Perth, who won the Flying Start Award, sponsored by Morgan Stanley. Ms Carmichael, like Mr O’Neill, suffers from dyslexia, which prevented her from progressing at school. After eight months of unemployment, she enrolled in the Prince’s Trust Team, which offers young unemployed people the chance to develop new skills to improve long-term career prospects.

After 12 weeks on the programme, taking part in team-building exercises and community schemes designed to raise confidence and increase employability, Ms Carmichael was able to get a job at a printing business. She volunteers in her spare time with Perth College’s learning support team, working alongside autistic people. She has also contributed to a book written by dyslexic people.

The Trust’s only group accolade was the Community Impact Award, sponsored by Scotmid, which was won by Getting Started in Urban Spaces – Love Milton, a group of 12 volunteers who converted derelict land in Glasgow into landscaped gardens and vegetable patches.

Heather Gray, director of the Prince’s Trust Scotland, said: “All of the young people recognised at Celebrate Success should be incredibly proud of their achievements. Many have overcome great adversity and shown a real desire to build a positive future for themselves.”

Guests including Rangers manager Ally McCoist and “Flying Scotsman” cyclist Graeme Obree were in attendance to hand over awards.