Prince’s Trust ‘helped me escape bullies and find job’ says young graphic designer
A young Londoner who was so severely bullied she spent time in a psychiatric unit has told how she has turned her life around to become an apprentice graphic designer.
Laine Esperanzate, 17, took drugs and self-harmed to escape feeling isolated. A year ago, under the pressure of attempting her GCSEs, she began having suicidal thoughts and was admitted to Brookside Young People’s Psychiatric Unit in Essex for nine months.
Ms Esperanzate, who lives in Dagenham, managed to get five GCSEs but still did not know what to do with her life.
She joined The Prince’s Trust 12-week personal development course the Team Programme, which helps unemployed young people gain the skills and confidence to find work.
During the project, she realised she wanted to work in the creative industries — and applied for an internship at Lead Generation Websites in Romford. She is now a graphic design apprentice for the firm.
Ms Esperanzate won the Breakthrough Award at The Prince’s Trust Celebrate Success Awards last week. Sponsored by the Standard, the awards recognise the achievements of disadvantaged young people across London and the South-East who have succeeded against the odds, improved their chances in life and had a positive impact on their local community.
She said: “Joining The Prince’s Trust was one of the best things I’ve ever done and I’m now a different person.
“The support I’ve had has given me a positive outlook on life, I’ve developed strong relationships and found the confidence to look and be the way I want to be.
“I know now the past is an important part of who I am, but I’ve made important changes to my life, have passion about what I’m doing and am ready for the future.
“A lot of young people are misunderstood, it takes a special group of people to understand.”
