Prince's Trust helped me change my life: Derry girl
A young Derry woman has revealed how the Prince’s Trust charity helped her change her life.
Shauna O’Neill (pictured) started to drink a quite at a young age and before long found herself in great difficulty and becoming very depressed.
By the age of 21, she ended up going into a rehabilitation centre.
When she completed rehab, she moved into sheltered accommodation for young people at the Strand Foyer.
One of the conditions for living there was that she had to carry out some form of training and although she felt anxious about mixing with crowds and staying in one place for too long, she decided to give The Prince’s Trust Team programme a go. Shauna said taking part in the programme changed her life.
She added: “It helped me get back into a classroom setting and mixing with other young people without any alcohol involved! My confidence grew and the course gave us time to think about the future. “A few weeks after I completed the programme, I got a call from one of the staff at The Prince’s Trust to ask if I would like to be nominated for the chance of a place on the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
“My simple answer was ‘yes.’ In 2011-12, I was selected and took part in the race. I had four weeks intensive sail training followed by a voyage across the South Atlantic from Rio to Cape Town - a journey which lasted 22 days and provided a lifetime of memories!
“After Clipper, I worked full time for just over a year with the Loughs Agency on board their research boat, completed a two year diploma course and then after that became a Community Fundraiser as I want to reach out and help others. I have also learnt how to drive and have my own car.” Shauna added: “People and life can change for the better and I am thankful for the opportunities I have had in my life. In particular, I want to give thanks to The Princes Trust for giving me the courage to move forward in my life. “ The Prince’s Trust recently marked the 25th year of its Team programme with a nationwide campaign supported by Barclays.
The charity unveiled a giant photo frame, which was used by young people taking part in the scheme to take team selfies with popstar Alesha Dixon. Members of the public have been helping The Trust celebrate the programme’s 25th year by tweeting team selfies – known as ‘Teamies’ – with the hashtag #lovemyteam.
Prizes are being awarded to people using the hashtag throughout the month. Anybody interested learning more about Team in Derry should contact The Prince’s Trust on 0800 842 842.