Carolanne who has been accessing support from YMCA DLG Reaching Your Potential (RYP) project has been shortlisted for the Young Achiever of the Year Award at the national YMCA England Youth Matters Awards.
Carolanne was nominated by RYPÂ Resettlement Worker Emily Field and we are all very proud that she has made it through to the next round.
Hundreds of young people, staff and volunteers from YMCAs across the country were nominated in five award categories. The competition was stiff and it was up to a panel of judges to decide who gets through to the semi finals.
The finalists will be determined by a public online vote and we need your help to make sure Carolanne gets through to the final.
The online voting starts on Monday 3rd August and runs for two weeks finishing on Friday 14th August.
Please follow this link to vote for Carolanne www.ymca.org.uk/awards/young-achiever-of-the-yearÂ
Carolanne was referred to YMCA DownsLink Group’s Reaching Your Potential (RYP) project whilst she was serving a custodial sentence at HMP Bronzefield. On release from custody, Carolanne made the decision to get as much help as possible. Carolanne abstained from drinking alcohol and recognised the link between her previous alcohol abuse and offending behaviour.
When Carolanne found out she was pregnant she was accepted into a mother and baby unit. Carolanne has now started a parenting course at college, has been volunteering in a charity shop and will be studying for her maths and English. She gave an inspirational talk to the female inmates at HMP Bronzefield, leaving both inmates and prison staff in tears. Carolanne is also involved in the Youth at Risk programme and may be able to get involved in the running of the programme in future.
Carolanne has done exceptionally well this year. Despite a traumatic childhood and a chaotic lifestyle, she has managed to make changes in her life. She recognises how far she has come, how difficult it has been, wants to be able to help other young people in her position and is thinking about a possible career in youth work.
