Kirstie makes her mark with M&S

Londonderry woman Kirstie Donaghey, has excelled through The Prince’s Trust ‘Make Your Mark’ as a customer assistant at Marks & Spencer Crescent Link.
Kirstie  DonagheyKirstie  Donaghey
Kirstie Donaghey

Marks & Spencer joined forces with The Trust to offer the new youth employability scheme, Make Your Mark, across Northern Ireland, which offers training and mentoring to unemployed young people the aim of giving them the skills, experience and confidence to find a job.

“Before the Prince’s Trust, I was stuck in the biggest rut that I have ever been in,” she said.

“I had no job and no ambition. I had given up and thought my life would remain that way forever. I had lost count of how many jobs I had applied for with no response.

“ The feeling of rejection really started to take its toll and badly affected my confidence to the point where I didn’t feel good enough now to even make the application.

“The programme has increased my confidence significantly. So much so that I was able to apply for and complete a course at College. I would have never had the confidence to go for it before. Now I like to take myself out of my comfort zone and think this is an important step to achieving personal goals. I am a lot more positive and happy and even my family and friends notice a difference in me since becoming involved with the Trust.”

Encouraging others to take advantage of an offer to take part in the programme, Kirstie said she was now looking to the future and was excited about what might be in store for her.

Those aged 16 to 25 not in education or training or doing less than 12 hours a week, not in employment or employed for less than 16 hours, can telephone 02890 895000 to speak to The Prince’s Trust team, or email [email protected]

“Since completing the Get into Retail programme, I am now a permanent staff member of staff at Marks and Spencer’s,” said Kirstie.

“The Make your Mark Programme has completely transformed my life from having very little prospects to now looking forward to a future of success.”