25th November 2013
Three young people, who turned their lives around with help from The Prince’s Trust, have won prestigious awards sponsored by Devenish Nutrition at the youth charity’s annual ceremony while another was runner up.
This year was the tenth anniversary of the awards, which have recognised the achievements of young people across the Northern Ireland region over the last decade. The Devenish Nutrition Flying Start Award recognises those young people who, despite having faced substantial personal obstacles, are in sustainable employment as a result of a Prince’s Trust programme.
Sean Mullan, 25, scooped top place while Darren Galbraith and Jonathan Cuddy were runners – up in the Devenish Nutrition Flying Start Award at The Prince’s Trust & Samsung Celebrate Success Awards held at The MAC Belfast on 15th November.
Sean, 25, from Belfast, left education aged 16 without any GCSEs or qualifications. His home life was unsettled, and he turned to drink and drugs for comfort. He received several cautions from police, and then one day he decided to put his life back on track.
Sean had been unemployed for two years when he joined Get into Youth Work, a Prince’s Trust programme that helps unemployed young people gain the skills they need to work in the youth sector. He gained specific youth work qualifications and skills during the programme, and when it ended, he began working part-time at a youth centre. He also completed his Level 3 Youth Work qualification.
Sean is now a freelance facilitator and director. He works with a number of the leading arts organisations in Northern Ireland and runs various different workshops – including drama, self esteem and cross community relations – for children and young people.
Eamonn Whelan, Operations Director with Devenish Nutrition said: “We are extremely proud to congratulate Sean on winning the Devenish Nutrition Flying Start Award. Sean has worked incredibly hard to get where he is today and is a real example to other young people. We wish him the very best for the future.”
The runners up have also achieved great things. Darren Galbraith joined Get into Food Processing, a programme designed by The Prince’s Trust to help unemployed young people gain skills they need to find work in the food industry. Darren is now a baker at Genesis Crafty in Magherafelt.
Jonathan Cuddy also completed the Get into Food Processing, and by the time the programme ended, Jonathan had attained three sought-after industry qualifications and secured work with Moy Park.
Pictured above are winner Sean Mullan with Devenish Nutrition’s Finance Director Ann Hamilton.