Connor Davidson, who’s from Leith, has won an award for young people who have overcome personal barriers to move into employment, education or training. Twenty-two year old Connor completed a Tomorrow’s People programme that supports those who are struggling to get into work, and the young man has impressed everyone with his attitude and determination.
Connor’s progress has seen him move into full-time employment and his achievements were recognised when he received a national award at Edinburgh’s Waldorf Astoria – The Caledonian last night.
Connor was brought up by his mother on the Fort housing estate. When she tragically died of cancer, Connor was forced to learn how to depend on himself from a young age. The need to eat and pay the bills soon pushed him to a point of desperation and he turned to crime. He began smoking a lot of cannabis and was soon facing a prison sentence. Connor missed the birth of his first child because he was inside and realised something had to change.
When Connor came out of prison he was referred to Tomorrow’s People, which is based in North Edinburgh Arts in Muirhouse. He was determined to make a change but lacked confidence in his abilities. His advisers Heather and Jamie kept faith in him, meaning that there was always someone there to remind Connor of how far he had come.
Connor became involved in working on community challenges, including decorating a flat for a vulnerable young woman, and working on the community garden at Blackhall library. Connor built up his skills and confidence and took on work experience in the field of construction and car mechanics, completing a placement at a Kwik Fit garage. He has since found full time employment in a restaurant in the centre of Edinburgh.
Tomorrow’s People works with those who have fallen between the cracks, many of whom are completely detached from the labour market and do not access support from government services. Their programmes ensure participants develop the skills, self-belief and resilience they need to get and keep a job. This is achieved by tailoring support to the individual and through practical programmes that successfully prepare people for the workplace.
The Young Achiever of the Year Award was sponsored by The Edinburgh Guarantee.
Connor says, “I’ve really enjoyed this opportunity that Tomorrow’s People has given me – I’ve helped the community and I’ve been able to help the younger people in the group.”
Heather Law, Tomorrow’s People adviser, says, “Connor is such a pleasant young person and it has been an absolute joy working with him. He has been so open and honest about his past and genuinely wants to turn this experience into something positive. Connor was such a great role-model for the other people on the programme with him.”
Martin Brookes, Chief Executive of Tomorrow’s People, says, “Of the young people we help across our programmes in Scotland, 74% are not receiving any statutory support to get into work. Up to 60% of them come from workless households and 20% of them are care leavers. We refuse to give up on those who have been failed by other services.
“We have a track record of success and 85% of the young people who go through our programmes get back into education, onto a good training programme or into work. This success is based on decades of frontline experience, on innovation, and our determination to deliver high-quality support that treats people as individuals, with individual needs.”
Congrtaulations, Connor!
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