Care worker puts his trust in ‘Get into’ programme

George Bell (centre) is pictured with Eileen Dunlop, Four Seasons Health Care and Paul Rooney, NI Social Care Council. INCT 41-704-CON

George Bell (21) had been unemployed for three years prior to taking The Prince’s Trust’s Get into Health and Social Care Programme,

And now having qualified and secured a permanent post with Abbeylands Carehome, Whiteabbey, he is encouraging other unemployed 16 to 25-year-olds to develop the skills to find a role in the sector.

Participants gained qualifications in first aid and four modules of the Level 2 Diploma in Adult Health & Social Care including Understanding Mental Wellbeing and Mental Health Promotion & Dementia Awareness. They also completed a nine-day work placement.

George said: “Life before The Prince’s Trust was a challenge. I was living on my own with no money and found myself in a rut, struggling to get my head straight. It was a real struggle to find employment while I was feeling this way and my motivation was at an all time low with the constant rejection from every job application.

“The programme has given me a new life. I am now in a full time job earning a wage as a functioning member of society instead of a burden.

“Getting involved with The Prince’s Trust is a great way to get into employment with the support structure they provide, the training and work placements. Not only do you get the chance to prove your worth, but I was able to build my self confidence and actually achieve my goals.

“Now I’m looking forward to building a career and a life for myself, enjoying each day as it comes.”

The Prince’s Trust runs a series of ‘Get into’ programmes over sectors such as retail, cooking, construction and hospitality and catering.

Presenting participants with their certificates, Ian Jeffers, director of The Prince’s Trust in Northern Ireland, said: “There is a real air of optimism here today, not only with our young people but also our work placement providers, many of whom have found first rate employees through this programme.”

The programme is part of the Prince’s Trust Journey to Success project which is part financed by the European Social Fund and the Department for Employment and Learning under the Northern Ireland ESF Programme 2007-13.