A year ago, Elise Kinnell may not have even picked up her phone when it rang.
Now, she’s met with First Minister John Swinney, shared her story about overcoming personal struggles, and stood in front of cameras without batting an eye.
Initially, she was someone who struggled to engage with school, her peers, and her teachers. She credits her transformation to a Scottish charity called WorkingRite and their Rite to Work programme.
“I was just this quiet little girl in school. I had a couple of friends, I never really spoke to anyone, not even the teachers.
“But the people at WorkingRite built a friendship with me, and that made me feel a bit like a better person. I knew that there were people there my age that I could speak to, that had went through a similar struggle."
WorkingRite supports young people facing complex challenges, who often have been left unable to engage in school, into mentored workplaces or Rite To Work, an interactive programme for 15/16 year-old pupils.
Elise said that the programme helped her feel more confident in basic work skills and has put her on an employment path, but she also recognises a fundamentally different person.
For other young people who are struggling or feeling disconnected, Elise wants to make it clear that there is no need to stay silent.
“My advice is keep your head high and trust your voice.
“Go ask for help. Your teachers, your family, ask them for help. Take the chance to get in touch with somebody because there are people who want to help you, and more likely than not they’ll have great ideas.
“It can be hard to get the ball rolling, but it’s genuinely amazing to know that there are actually people out there that want to help and want to push you further.
“It’s okay if you’re not that confident, and you’re scared to ask, but as soon as you do you’ll find that there is help out there.”
Rite to Work is delivered by an employability coach in small groups every week throughout S4, in a location outside of the school.
In the pilot programme, 100% of pupils achieved their SCQF level 4 employability modules.
Norma Prentice, Elise’s head teacher at Castlebrae High School, said that WorkingRite is effective because the charity workers partner with schools to identify and support the pupils who need an extra hand.
“They do great work with children who would find it most difficult to go on to a positive sustained destination.
“I think because the commitment is year-long, it builds up resilience in young people.
“It’s not just about finding the right job, it’s about building up the skills that you need for employment.
“They work on building up confidence and resilience so that when young people go into the work place, they are ready.”
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Kadee, a student at Lourdes Secondary who also completed the Rite to Work programme, said that she “felt school wasn’t the place” for her until she connected with WorkingRite.
“I wasn’t in for most of the time, and I just avoided it so many times. I’d go in for two classes and then leave.
“But I’ve been doing good and sticking in at school, doing all my work and paying attention.
Working with her mentor, she said she can see a vision for her future that never before existed.
“It gets me into the headspace of getting onto the right path and getting me into college to get what I need to be and become a nurse.
“My mum’s noticed that I do care about my future, and I want a job and sees me making a positive change in my life.”
Her motivation to become a nurse reflects her reasons for appreciating WorkingRite, which is to help others who have similar experiences know that life gets better.
“I’ve changed a lot since I started here. I’ve started to care more about my education and my future. I want to do nursing because I want to help people and help them with the stuff I’ve went through and reassure them that everything’s going to be okay.
“Her advice to young people: “Just keep working, don’t give up. Take your time and don’t give up. No matter how many mistakes you make, you will learn from them.
“If you don’t give up, then you’ll feel like a winner.”
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