AMBASSADORS OF HOPE

SUPPORTING OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THE BAME COMMUNITY TO ACCESS OPPORTUNITIES

I’m not afraid of hard work and I am able to work full time but also have a part time role working with young people like me from BAME and disadvantaged backgrounds to access opportunities that are not always readily available.

Franklyn, 24 – London

Dream: To be successful

A friend of mind told me about a residential part of a Damilila Taylor Trust programme called Career Search and Skills Development. It was a training residential on employability skills and from previous interviews, I knew that I needed support in how to do well in them. The programme was for about 6 months and even though I didn’t know anyone else on the programme, we quickly bonded and Yokeu, Keji and Shanaz really know how to get us to learn and identify things through fun and engaging activities. The Action Learning Sets also helped me identify traits and triggers about myself that was not productive and the group coaching and support it provided helped me to stay on course at University despite the difficulties I was having.

I know there are lots of employability programmes out there but Career Search and Skills Development not only gave me the skills but also the support as even after the programme finished I was able to get in touch and ask for advice and support after failed interviews. Through continued coaching I was able to secure a job and then another and then another and I appreciate all the help and support I was given as I am able to provide for my young family and that is the ultimate dream. I’m not afraid of hard work and I am able to work full time but also have a part time role working with young people like me from BAME and disadvantaged backgrounds to access opportunities that are not always readily available.