Alan couldn’t take the bullying anymore. He couldn’t face another day being picked on and made to feel different. But when he decided to stop going to class, it just made things worse. It was a decision that would turn his world upside down.
‘I got kicked out of school.’
Without an education, Alan was facing an uncertain future. He felt isolated and didn’t know what direction to take. But then he discovered The Prince’s Trust and decided to take part in the Achieve Programme run with the Dacorum Education Support Centre. That’s where he met the programme co-ordinator Julie Wilcox, who remembers meeting Alan for the first time:
‘He came to us a closed book. Very shy. Untrusting.’
Gradually, Alan began to open up. He expressed an interest in elderly care and he was soon put on a work placement with a local care home. He started helping out, making teas and coffees, and getting to know the residents he was caring for. At the same time, he was given the chance to complete his education, free from the bullies who had caused him so much pain:
‘The Prince's Trust Achieve programme gave me confidence. The teachers there were supportive, and I finished my GCSE’s.’
Now Alan works full-time in elderly care and loves his job. And in recognition of his remarkable progress, Alan was awarded the 2020 Ascential Educational Achiever Award at the National Prince's Trust and TK Maxx & Homesense Awards.
‘It's just been one big change all at once. It’s a good change, not a bad one this time!’
Alan didn’t let the bullies win. With the support of The Prince’s Trust, he acquired the skills and confidence he needed to move on with his life.
Everyone who entered the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Cotswolds will help The Prince’s Trust support even more young people like Alan. We can’t wait to tell you how much we've raised together for this incredible charity. We’ll be announcing that soon. In the meantime, thank you so much for entering.
