Thank you to everyone who has been involved in our #HelpingHands campaign so far. As we inspire 1000 more Glaswegians and organisations to support our city’s young people.
We’ve already heard from some of the incredible young people in our programme. Who are working so hard towards a much brighter future. We’ve also heard from the phenomenal mentors who support them. Who go above and beyond. Providing a vital listening ear and offering encouragement.
We’ll share lots more stories throughout the campaign. We’re so grateful for everyone who continues to share and get involved! Spreading word of our work throughout the whole city.
Can you offer a helping hand to a young person who is disadvantaged through no fault of their own?
Today, we’ll hear from Nikola. She had the support of her mentor while at school, and YGT was there to support Nikola into college. Now well on the way towards achieving her dream job of becoming a nurse, she looks back at the difference Young Glasgow Talent made to her. Talking about the helping hands that supported her through challenging times.
“Young Glasgow Talent has helped me an enormous amount to overcome difficulties in my life and get me to where I want to be. They believed in me when I felt no one else did. Gave me confidence I never thought I would have after being in foster care, facing homelessness and being bullied.
which led to me wanting to give up on everything, including school. I just wanted to stay at home with my mum and completely lost interest in school. I was linked up with a mentor who helped me strive for my best and to stick in at school, .
When I was looking for a place in a course I wanted to be a part of, YGT helped me with my applications for colleges and my references. I received a place, but, due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to leave this course and was then yet again worried as to what my future held. I contacted YGT and I got the help I needed straight away, they helped me with my entry to the course and I have now received an unconditional offer for my HNC course. They also recommended a scholarship for me to apply to for some funding to help me in my studies and helped me with the application. I already have my future all planned out. In the next 4 years of my education I want to become a fully qualified nurse and believe me, with the help from YGT I will definitely get there!
One thing I had always loved, even during the difficult times in my life, was gymnastics. My love for gymnastics was unreal and I even had help to achieve my goals in this. I was training 4-5 times a week and done gymnastics anywhere I went. While I was on study leave from school I received a phone call telling me I had tickets to watch the gymnastics at the commonwealth games. I was ecstatic! YGT even gave me belief in my gymnastics journey and with everything I had achieved through the years I even had a chance to perform 3 times at the World gymnastics championships before all the other gymnasts fought for their title on their way to the Olympics. These 3 days were absolutely amazing and was a life changing experience. What a way to end my journey as a gymnast before I retired to focus more on my studies towards my career!
It is impossible to say how much Young Glasgow Talent has helped me and given me a whole new life. I could never thank them enough! If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be on my road to my dream job to become a nurse. I will definitely always be involved with this programme because of how much it has helped me and I am now volunteering to help promote the programme. Being involved in YGT is one of the best things that can happen to a young person!
We have so many inspiring young people like Nikola signing up for Young Glasgow Talent’s help. They need mentors to make a huge difference to their confidence, educational outcomes and future life chances. Can you help them? Find out more about becoming a mentor.
Can your organisation help? To become involved in our Talent Taster programme, alongside our partners such as City Building, The Herald and Wheatley Group, get involved.
We’re always looking for new mentors to reach all the new young people who are coming on board with the programme. Help us spread the word by letting your friends and family know how worthwhile mentoring can be!
