Name: Phylis Mitchell
Academy: Renfrewshire Care
Phyllis has spent the majority of her life looking after her young children with no desire to mix with people. She was shy and feared talking in front of others in case she was judged in a negative way. Through attending the four week academy she quickly realised how much potential she had and that she could overcome her shyness. In contrast she is now an ambassador for the charity Brake, has spear headed events on road safety and regularly gives talks to school pupils about being safe on the road. This has inspired her children to do likewise. During the academy the managing director Stevie Kidd tasked the group to create the art work for a road safety campaign which would be displayed on the side of a Kidds Distribution vehicle. Never in Phyillis’s wild dreams did she expect her idea to be chosen for this prestigious advertising campaign. Phyllis is now leading a full and productive life and is working in a children’s nursery as well as carrying out her voluntary work. Interested in getting back to work and wanted to embark on a career in care. She came on the 4 week academy and here is what she thought.
“ I have loved the whole course, it’s been very inspirational and I am very focused and positive now so much that it is rubbing off on my friends and family”
“ I thoroughly enjoyed looking at my wheel of life and felt by focusing on every area of my life that I started to change during the first week” “ I am more motivated in all aspects of my life already!”
Name: Karla Shennen
Academy: Glasgow Care
Karla is a 28 yr old woman who although regularly worked on a voluntary basis had never held a full time paid job. She attended the Glasgow Academy in November 2009. A busy mum of three, who had been faced with many life challenges thought that she would be unable to land herself a job in the care sector until she came on the four week Academy.
During the Academy, Karla discovered many hidden talents and strengths. Her self esteem and confidence took a boost and by the end of the programme Karla was feeling very positive about her future. To Karla’s credit she has secured employment within care.
‘As a result of attending the academy I have built my confidence and I feel very motivated in everything I do. I learned a lot of new skills like how to interact and I now feel that I can now speak out in front of anyone. Through the techniques I learned on the academy I know I have the ability to interact with people and I now enjoy meeting new people and learning new things. It’s great watching people round about you grow and realise you are growing too. Friends have said that before the academy I let life stress me out but now I am learning to destress. That must be good’