Barry

My name is Barry, I am 26 and from Partick in Glasgow, and a member of the Youth Advisory Group for Scotland Raleigh Partner Programmes.

I joined Raleigh International in December 2005 before this I had got in with a bad crowd and became part of all the bad things that were happening in my scheme. During this time I became addicted to heroin and valium, I got caught up in crime, shop lifting, car theft and assault and robbery and got sentenced to 30 months in a young offender's institute.

When I got out I went in to stay in supported accommodation but due to experiences in jail I became depressed and suffered from anxiety as I did not like what I had become. I didn't believe in myself at the time and did not think I would amount to anything.

I heard about Raleigh International from a friend and thought it would be a great experience to help me increase my self-confidence, and to give me more experience to pursue a career in the Care sector. I was able to work on my communication skills, and gain the motivation to face challenges head on. I was determined to improve on my fitness. I was hardly able to swim, but made a huge effort by going every day and got a place on the Chile overseas Programme in February 2006.

I feel that doing Raleigh has taught me more than college did, it helped me work with other people that I never thought I could work with, they let me make choices and take control.

Whilst in Chile, I communicated and worked closely with different people from different backgrounds. I gained a real sense of achievement by completing the 3 week trekking phase, which I previously thought was impossible to do. Through this I learnt to believe in my own capacity to succeed, and I remain committed to supporting others to do the same. Other young people should try the overseas programme because it can change the way you feel about yourself and other people. It can help you work with all sorts of people from different backgrounds.

I had only been back from Chile for one month, and due to the determination and leadership skills I got through the programme I knew I wanted to start working towards my goal of being able to work in the care sector. I started a HNC in Working with Communities in August. I believe I have the skills, experience and qualities such as empathy and the life experiences to be able to relate to people in this area of work, and am looking forward to sharing this with others in the future. The program gave me better self worth, and opportunities to do things that helped me believe in myself. It gave me the responsibility and belief to take back control of my life.

I am now doing my college placement at the project as I know it can make a difference and help others achieve their goals the way I did.

 

skip back skip to top

• Case Studies
• Aged 17-24 Venturer
  • Jaqueline Hemery
  • Alex Jaggard
  • Ayesha Khan
  • Felicia Royaards
  • Beth Rushby
  • Philip Weston
  • William Gidman
  • Charles Loudon
  • Lucie Cavoizy
  • Serena Brown
  • Laihann Mitchell
  • Barry
• Host Country Participants