Lisburn student is 
given a second chance

Futures Project is led by Belfast Met in partnership with Start 360, NI Housing Executive and Southern Regional College and works with local young people aged 16-24 years who are at risk of becoming excluded from educational or economic opportunities.

Katie, 20, from Lisburn is a recent Belfast Met graduate who joined the Girdwood Futures Project in January 2020. She is passionate about Performing Arts and was struggling with her mental health last year, but since completing the Futures Project programme feels confident about going back to college to complete her full-time Musical Theatre course in September at the International College of Music (ICMT) in Belfast.

Katie explained: “Before starting the Futures Project, I was floating between different things, unsure of which path I should take, so I felt positive about starting with Futures.

“The project has helped to give me self-confidence and improved self-esteem through group activities, as it encouraged me to come out of my comfort zone and get out of my own head.

“I became more outgoing and it was the first time I had felt comfortable with a group of people since High School.

“I felt that I belonged with the group and that I could share my opinion and feel equal which really helped me. If anyone needed help, the rest of the group would give each other support and a platform to speak.

“My self-awareness improved and the debates changed my mindset. It also helped me to understand why other people think the way they do.

“Learning how to work as part of a team, and not being scared to speak my own mind will really help me with whatever I do next.”