Instilling self-belief: breaking through barriers to education | Mairead Healy | TEDxShannonED

five years ago I spent every day for

five years ago I spent every day for over five months walking along the river

over five months walking along the river

over five months walking along the river searching for my brother’s body he had

searching for my brother’s body he had

searching for my brother’s body he had committed suicide by joining this period

committed suicide by joining this period

committed suicide by joining this period of time as you can imagine was really

of time as you can imagine was really

of time as you can imagine was really traumatic and it was actually it’s

traumatic and it was actually it’s

traumatic and it was actually it’s actually really surreal he looked back

actually really surreal he looked back

actually really surreal he looked back and annoyed with hindsight because I

and annoyed with hindsight because I

and annoyed with hindsight because I came from busy career in London in human

came from busy career in London in human

came from busy career in London in human rights advocacy and then suddenly came

rights advocacy and then suddenly came

rights advocacy and then suddenly came home to Derry and had nothing to do all

home to Derry and had nothing to do all

home to Derry and had nothing to do all day every day except you search along

day every day except you search along

day every day except you search along the river for his body and it took us

the river for his body and it took us

the river for his body and it took us five months but we did find him he was

five months but we did find him he was

five months but we did find him he was washed up on a beach and on the goal but

washed up on a beach and on the goal but

washed up on a beach and on the goal but because the life was very simple for

because the life was very simple for

because the life was very simple for those five months I used to get up every

those five months I used to get up every

those five months I used to get up every morning I would get the well he’s on I

morning I would get the well he’s on I

morning I would get the well he’s on I would have the raincoat on and I just be

would have the raincoat on and I just be

would have the raincoat on and I just be walking that was all I was doing and it

walking that was all I was doing and it

walking that was all I was doing and it gave me a lot of time to think and

gave me a lot of time to think and

gave me a lot of time to think and reflect so during this period of

reflect so during this period of

reflect so during this period of reflection I really began to think a lot

reflection I really began to think a lot

reflection I really began to think a lot about the lives of my brother and myself

about the lives of my brother and myself

about the lives of my brother and myself we’d grown up in exactly the same family

we’d grown up in exactly the same family

we’d grown up in exactly the same family but we’d had completely and utterly

but we’d had completely and utterly

but we’d had completely and utterly different paths in life and I started

different paths in life and I started

different paths in life and I started thinking a lot about our childhood it

thinking a lot about our childhood it

thinking a lot about our childhood it would have been a very tough childhood

would have been a very tough childhood

would have been a very tough childhood we would have witnessed a lot of

we would have witnessed a lot of

we would have witnessed a lot of domestic violence and even one of my

domestic violence and even one of my

domestic violence and even one of my first memories was a particularly

first memories was a particularly

first memories was a particularly serious incidents in Patrick’s Day and

serious incidents in Patrick’s Day and

serious incidents in Patrick’s Day and I’ve never been able to enjoy some

I’ve never been able to enjoy some

I’ve never been able to enjoy some patrick’s day ever since there would

patrick’s day ever since there would

patrick’s day ever since there would have been a lot of moving around every

have been a lot of moving around every

have been a lot of moving around every few months we’ve been moving house

few months we’ve been moving house

few months we’ve been moving house theatres childhood and we would have

theatres childhood and we would have

theatres childhood and we would have been quite socially excluded as well and

been quite socially excluded as well and

been quite socially excluded as well and my brother’s case and he would have been

my brother’s case and he would have been

my brother’s case and he would have been worse very withdrawn but in my case and

worse very withdrawn but in my case and

worse very withdrawn but in my case and I was really lucky I got on to go to a

I was really lucky I got on to go to a

I was really lucky I got on to go to a grammar school I got one of those I

grammar school I got one of those I

grammar school I got one of those I passed it the national exam to go and

passed it the national exam to go and

passed it the national exam to go and study at a grammar school but no one

study at a grammar school but no one

study at a grammar school but no one known as the parents wanted their kids

known as the parents wanted their kids

known as the parents wanted their kids to be friends with me because I was from

to be friends with me because I was from

to be friends with me because I was from a really rough background and in terms

a really rough background and in terms

a really rough background and in terms of daily life it would have been things

of daily life it would have been things

of daily life it would have been things like the elctricity being cut off you

like the elctricity being cut off you

like the elctricity being cut off you know fended for food things like that so

know fended for food things like that so

know fended for food things like that so at the outset looking at looking at both

at the outset looking at looking at both

at the outset looking at looking at both our lives at that age our lives would

our lives at that age our lives would

our lives at that age our lives would have been quite predestined I suppose

have been quite predestined I suppose

have been quite predestined I suppose you know what in terms of our upbringing

you know what in terms of our upbringing

you know what in terms of our upbringing you you probably could have predicted a

you you probably could have predicted a

you you probably could have predicted a path but then we had very different

path but then we had very different

path but then we had very different paths after that and he he would have

paths after that and he he would have

paths after that and he he would have left school at 16 he was

left school at 16 he was

left school at 16 he was really really bright kid really really

really really bright kid really really

really really bright kid really really Sparky and bright but he would have just

Sparky and bright but he would have just

Sparky and bright but he would have just because of the circumstances low

because of the circumstances low

because of the circumstances low confidence no I don’t ever believe not

confidence no I don’t ever believe not

confidence no I don’t ever believe not him he would have left school with no

him he would have left school with no

him he would have left school with no qualifications and then he would have

qualifications and then he would have

qualifications and then he would have been unemployed for five years and until

been unemployed for five years and until

been unemployed for five years and until he died whereas I was able to get

he died whereas I was able to get

he died whereas I was able to get educated go off study law training law

educated go off study law training law

educated go off study law training law so we had really different paths and

so we had really different paths and

so we had really different paths and thinking about it during this period I

thinking about it during this period I

thinking about it during this period I wondered what was the key difference

wondered what was the key difference

wondered what was the key difference between myself and him and as I saw it

between myself and him and as I saw it

between myself and him and as I saw it that the key variable was the fact that

that the key variable was the fact that

that the key variable was the fact that it has time of his death he felt he had

it has time of his death he felt he had

it has time of his death he felt he had no choices in life was I felt I had lots

no choices in life was I felt I had lots

no choices in life was I felt I had lots and lots and lots of choices and then I

and lots and lots of choices and then I

and lots and lots of choices and then I thought why why did he have choice why

thought why why did he have choice why

thought why why did he have choice why did I have choices and he didn’t have

did I have choices and he didn’t have

did I have choices and he didn’t have choices and what I what I realized the

choices and what I what I realized the

choices and what I what I realized the analyst it was because of self belief

analyst it was because of self belief

analyst it was because of self belief and even though the circumstances that I

and even though the circumstances that I

and even though the circumstances that I grew up in

grew up in

grew up in we’re very difficult I always knew in my

we’re very difficult I always knew in my

we’re very difficult I always knew in my head I always had a belief that my life

head I always had a belief that my life

head I always had a belief that my life was gonna be completely different I knew

was gonna be completely different I knew

was gonna be completely different I knew that that was going to drive me forward

that that was going to drive me forward

that that was going to drive me forward education was going to be the way that I

education was going to be the way that I

education was going to be the way that I was going to change my path in life so I

was going to change my path in life so I

was going to change my path in life so I suppose what I first realized that I had

suppose what I first realized that I had

suppose what I first realized that I had this self belief I was 14 years old and

this self belief I was 14 years old and

this self belief I was 14 years old and I was in school as I said I was very

I was in school as I said I was very

I was in school as I said I was very socially excluded I wasn’t what kind of

socially excluded I wasn’t what kind of

socially excluded I wasn’t what kind of a kid I would have been the typical nerd

a kid I would have been the typical nerd

a kid I would have been the typical nerd always stuck in a corner with my head in

always stuck in a corner with my head in

always stuck in a corner with my head in a book and and what I realized was I was

a book and and what I realized was I was

a book and and what I realized was I was terrible at sports like absolutely

terrible at sports like absolutely

terrible at sports like absolutely appalling you know I wouldn’t I would

appalling you know I wouldn’t I would

appalling you know I wouldn’t I would have been miles and miles behind

have been miles and miles behind

have been miles and miles behind everyone else or the athletic people and

everyone else or the athletic people and

everyone else or the athletic people and I decided I was gonna try and get good

I decided I was gonna try and get good

I decided I was gonna try and get good at sports one sport I was gonna pick a

at sports one sport I was gonna pick a

at sports one sport I was gonna pick a sport and I was gonna get on the school

sport and I was gonna get on the school

sport and I was gonna get on the school team so I thought I’ll go for a nice

team so I thought I’ll go for a nice

team so I thought I’ll go for a nice solid or his fourth so I don’t have to

solid or his fourth so I don’t have to

solid or his fourth so I don’t have to worry about other people throw-in the

worry about other people throw-in the

worry about other people throw-in the ball to me like a netballer ga because

ball to me like a netballer ga because

ball to me like a netballer ga because that’s completely out of my hands

that’s completely out of my hands

that’s completely out of my hands whether I can get good at that or not so

whether I can get good at that or not so

whether I can get good at that or not so I thought I’d go for a nice hard sport

I thought I’d go for a nice hard sport

I thought I’d go for a nice hard sport I’ll go for cross-country running if I

I’ll go for cross-country running if I

I’ll go for cross-country running if I was really bad at that so I decided I’m

was really bad at that so I decided I’m

was really bad at that so I decided I’m gonna start training I’m gonna get on

gonna start training I’m gonna get on

gonna start training I’m gonna get on the school team there were six spots on

the school team there were six spots on

the school team there were six spots on the team and I was gonna get one of

the team and I was gonna get one of

the team and I was gonna get one of those spots some way so I started

those spots some way so I started

those spots some way so I started training and at the start and for a very

training and at the start and for a very

training and at the start and for a very long time I was still really terrible so

long time I was still really terrible so

long time I was still really terrible so like the skill that I was at it was on a

like the skill that I was at it was on a

like the skill that I was at it was on a big bag hell so at lunchtime we’d all

big bag hell so at lunchtime we’d all

big bag hell so at lunchtime we’d all run the team under the people other

run the team under the people other

run the team under the people other people like himself trying to get on the

people like himself trying to get on the

people like himself trying to get on the team would

team would

team would tradin and you began off the hill and i

tradin and you began off the hill and i

tradin and you began off the hill and i would be miles and miles and miles

would be miles and miles and miles

would be miles and miles and miles behind everyone else and I was actually

behind everyone else and I was actually

behind everyone else and I was actually sometimes hope when they don’t for lapis

sometimes hope when they don’t for lapis

sometimes hope when they don’t for lapis look as if I was just the same and it

look as if I was just the same and it

look as if I was just the same and it was you know it was it was really bad I

was you know it was it was really bad I

was you know it was it was really bad I remember I used to get to the top of the

remember I used to get to the top of the

remember I used to get to the top of the hill and hide behind a bush so I could

hill and hide behind a bush so I could

hill and hide behind a bush so I could catch my breath before I started again

catch my breath before I started again

catch my breath before I started again because a lot of people will be sitting

because a lot of people will be sitting

because a lot of people will be sitting outside having their lunch in the grass

outside having their lunch in the grass

outside having their lunch in the grass and they could see you so you were

and they could see you so you were

and they could see you so you were really and everyone could see you see

really and everyone could see you see

really and everyone could see you see you and see how bad you were in my case

you and see how bad you were in my case

you and see how bad you were in my case and they even actually gave me an award

and they even actually gave me an award

and they even actually gave me an award and at the end of the year when they

and at the end of the year when they

and at the end of the year when they have the awards and everyone was getting

have the awards and everyone was getting

have the awards and everyone was getting all these great awards and you know the

all these great awards and you know the

all these great awards and you know the athletic teams they gave me one for

athletic teams they gave me one for

athletic teams they gave me one for gutsiness because I was so terrible but

gutsiness because I was so terrible but

gutsiness because I was so terrible but I stuck at it and you know they couldn’t

I stuck at it and you know they couldn’t

I stuck at it and you know they couldn’t believe that I was still stuck at it and

believe that I was still stuck at it and

believe that I was still stuck at it and I used to go I remember I used to go out

I used to go I remember I used to go out

I used to go I remember I used to go out training around the estate where I lived

training around the estate where I lived

training around the estate where I lived it’s half 6:00 in the morning

it’s half 6:00 in the morning

it’s half 6:00 in the morning if I wanted to get some extra training

if I wanted to get some extra training

if I wanted to get some extra training and I was actually petrified so I

and I was actually petrified so I

and I was actually petrified so I thought I’m gonna be attacked because

thought I’m gonna be attacked because

thought I’m gonna be attacked because it’s pitch black and I’m running around

it’s pitch black and I’m running around

it’s pitch black and I’m running around in the dark for us it was great it was

in the dark for us it was great it was

in the dark for us it was great it was darks nero could see how bad it was but

darks nero could see how bad it was but

darks nero could see how bad it was but eventually you know i I was still I

eventually you know i I was still I

eventually you know i I was still I wasn’t great that I was getting a wee

wasn’t great that I was getting a wee

wasn’t great that I was getting a wee bit better but I remember then one day

bit better but I remember then one day

bit better but I remember then one day the coach came to me and she said look

the coach came to me and she said look

the coach came to me and she said look what is the team has been injured we’ve

what is the team has been injured we’ve

what is the team has been injured we’ve got a spot on the team do you want to be

got a spot on the team do you want to be

got a spot on the team do you want to be in the team I said Wow

in the team I said Wow

in the team I said Wow yes course I would have read in a team

yes course I would have read in a team

yes course I would have read in a team of course so I got on the team and I was

of course so I got on the team and I was

of course so I got on the team and I was all delighted with myself

all delighted with myself

all delighted with myself and eventually I got better and better

and eventually I got better and better

and eventually I got better and better and but what I realized through that

and but what I realized through that

and but what I realized through that experience was it was actually that

experience was it was actually that

experience was it was actually that belief that self belief which drove me

belief that self belief which drove me

belief that self belief which drove me forward and which which enabled me to

forward and which which enabled me to

forward and which which enabled me to get better and not actually translated

get better and not actually translated

get better and not actually translated under all the other areas of my life

under all the other areas of my life

under all the other areas of my life then I was a straight-a student and

then I was a straight-a student and

then I was a straight-a student and ended off getting top marks in in the

ended off getting top marks in in the

ended off getting top marks in in the country in the National exams I’m gonna

country in the National exams I’m gonna

country in the National exams I’m gonna have to be law and then went off to

have to be law and then went off to

have to be law and then went off to Brussels to work and then London but it

Brussels to work and then London but it

Brussels to work and then London but it was actually that self belief which

was actually that self belief which

was actually that self belief which which I realized that made it made a

which I realized that made it made a

which I realized that made it made a difference and in my life that my

difference and in my life that my

difference and in my life that my brother didn’t have so following on from

brother didn’t have so following on from

brother didn’t have so following on from that when my brother died I founded an

that when my brother died I founded an

that when my brother died I founded an organization do you work with young

organization do you work with young

organization do you work with young people who don’t have as many choices in

people who don’t have as many choices in

people who don’t have as many choices in life to try and work with Md instill and

life to try and work with Md instill and

life to try and work with Md instill and them self belief so that they would have

them self belief so that they would have

them self belief so that they would have more choices in life so we work with

more choices in life so we work with

more choices in life so we work with young people from backgrounds where

young people from backgrounds where

young people from backgrounds where there’s zero employment

there’s zero employment

there’s zero employment the family with their 0 history of

the family with their 0 history of

the family with their 0 history of education attainment some of them irfan

education attainment some of them irfan

education attainment some of them irfan in the care system some of them there

in the care system some of them there

in the care system some of them there might be addiction in the family or

might be addiction in the family or

might be addiction in the family or other issues but that’s the old people

other issues but that’s the old people

other issues but that’s the old people that we work with and it does work and

that we work with and it does work and

that we work with and it does work and I’ve got so many hundreds of stories

I’ve got so many hundreds of stories

I’ve got so many hundreds of stories that I could tell about Hawaii and stone

that I could tell about Hawaii and stone

that I could tell about Hawaii and stone self-belief and these young people has

self-belief and these young people has

self-belief and these young people has enabled them to access education and

enabled them to access education and

enabled them to access education and choices and other opportunities but I’m

choices and other opportunities but I’m

choices and other opportunities but I’m just going to tell maybe a few today so

just going to tell maybe a few today so

just going to tell maybe a few today so one of the young people that I work with

one of the young people that I work with

one of the young people that I work with at the start I used to go run the skills

at the start I used to go run the skills

at the start I used to go run the skills asking for recommendations from the

asking for recommendations from the

asking for recommendations from the principals of young people who benefit

principals of young people who benefit

principals of young people who benefit from the program it’s a highly intensive

from the program it’s a highly intensive

from the program it’s a highly intensive three-year program and I remember in one

three-year program and I remember in one

three-year program and I remember in one of the schools she said no one’s

of the schools she said no one’s

of the schools she said no one’s interested in the program at all except

interested in the program at all except

interested in the program at all except this one guy but you but you don’t want

this one guy but you but you don’t want

this one guy but you but you don’t want him you know he’s with new hope for him

him you know he’s with new hope for him

him you know he’s with new hope for him he’s you don’t want him and when I

he’s you don’t want him and when I

he’s you don’t want him and when I actually got over my shock this is what

actually got over my shock this is what

actually got over my shock this is what she was saying and I thought this is

she was saying and I thought this is

she was saying and I thought this is exactly the kind of guy that we need to

exactly the kind of guy that we need to

exactly the kind of guy that we need to work with and so we started working with

work with and so we started working with

work with and so we started working with them over a two or three year period

them over a two or three year period

them over a two or three year period really intensively and I’m not really

really intensively and I’m not really

really intensively and I’m not really pleased to say that he’s actually in

pleased to say that he’s actually in

pleased to say that he’s actually in college at the moment he study in

college at the moment he study in

college at the moment he study in psychology he was the first in his

psychology he was the first in his

psychology he was the first in his family to do as lead and sir and he’s

family to do as lead and sir and he’s

family to do as lead and sir and he’s also he found his fondest voice and he’s

also he found his fondest voice and he’s

also he found his fondest voice and he’s really he’s really interested in the

really he’s really interested in the

really he’s really interested in the area of mental health as a result of his

area of mental health as a result of his

area of mental health as a result of his own experiences and he’s now in mental

own experiences and he’s now in mental

own experiences and he’s now in mental health out because he was only on the TV

health out because he was only on the TV

health out because he was only on the TV nationally last week he does a lot of

nationally last week he does a lot of

nationally last week he does a lot of speaking at national conferences he’s

speaking at national conferences he’s

speaking at national conferences he’s always in the media and the radio and

always in the media and the radio and

always in the media and the radio and the newspapers and it’s it’s really

the newspapers and it’s it’s really

the newspapers and it’s it’s really ironic that the guy that the principal

ironic that the guy that the principal

ironic that the guy that the principal had no hope for is actually bringing

had no hope for is actually bringing

had no hope for is actually bringing hope to other young people in Ireland

hope to other young people in Ireland

hope to other young people in Ireland another example of a gear and she when

another example of a gear and she when

another example of a gear and she when she first came with us

she first came with us

she first came with us she had no confidence in herself and she

she had no confidence in herself and she

she had no confidence in herself and she had lost both her parents when she was

had lost both her parents when she was

had lost both her parents when she was really young 3 or 4 they both died from

really young 3 or 4 they both died from

really young 3 or 4 they both died from drug addictions and her in her 13

drug addictions and her in her 13

drug addictions and her in her 13 brothers and sisters were all spread out

brothers and sisters were all spread out

brothers and sisters were all spread out through the care system and had no

through the care system and had no

through the care system and had no contact with each other so when she

contact with each other so when she

contact with each other so when she first came to work with us she had no

first came to work with us she had no

first came to work with us she had no aspirations and some of her older

aspirations and some of her older

aspirations and some of her older siblings were actually living in the

siblings were actually living in the

siblings were actually living in the streets of Dublin homeless so she really

streets of Dublin homeless so she really

streets of Dublin homeless so she really thought like what can I do with my life

thought like what can I do with my life

thought like what can I do with my life and and the hardest thing with her was

and and the hardest thing with her was

and and the hardest thing with her was actually identifying what her

actually identifying what her

actually identifying what her aspirations were and but she realized

aspirations were and but she realized

aspirations were and but she realized that what she was really passionate

that what she was really passionate

that what she was really passionate about was the tourism industry so I’m

about was the tourism industry so I’m

about was the tourism industry so I’m really pleased to say no she’s at

really pleased to say no she’s at

really pleased to say no she’s at to pursue further education and in

to pursue further education and in

to pursue further education and in tourism management since she’s following

tourism management since she’s following

tourism management since she’s following her dream but as I said the hardest

her dream but as I said the hardest

her dream but as I said the hardest thing for her was actually identifying

thing for her was actually identifying

thing for her was actually identifying what that dream was I know their guy and

what that dream was I know their guy and

what that dream was I know their guy and when he started working with us and he

when he started working with us and he

when he started working with us and he didn’t really know what he wanted to do

didn’t really know what he wanted to do

didn’t really know what he wanted to do either both his parents were on social

either both his parents were on social

either both his parents were on social welfare he was thinking maybe I’ll leave

welfare he was thinking maybe I’ll leave

welfare he was thinking maybe I’ll leave school and work in a factory or a shop

school and work in a factory or a shop

school and work in a factory or a shop or whatever but we could see straight

or whatever but we could see straight

or whatever but we could see straight away he was really really sharp and we

away he was really really sharp and we

away he was really really sharp and we started kind of pursuing out with them

started kind of pursuing out with them

started kind of pursuing out with them and he realized he was really passionate

and he realized he was really passionate

and he realized he was really passionate about the politics and law and

about the politics and law and

about the politics and law and governance and we really encourage that

governance and we really encourage that

governance and we really encourage that in him and I really pleased to say he’s

in him and I really pleased to say he’s

in him and I really pleased to say he’s actually nine Trinity College doing law

actually nine Trinity College doing law

actually nine Trinity College doing law and politics which is one of the hardest

and politics which is one of the hardest

and politics which is one of the hardest courses to get nd in the country and

courses to get nd in the country and

courses to get nd in the country and that was through pursuing a feat a

that was through pursuing a feat a

that was through pursuing a feat a qualification first of all you know

qualification first of all you know

qualification first of all you know there is these paths it doesn’t it

there is these paths it doesn’t it

there is these paths it doesn’t it hasn’t always linear and by doing a few

hasn’t always linear and by doing a few

hasn’t always linear and by doing a few other courses first he was able to get

other courses first he was able to get

other courses first he was able to get into this course which is amazing and

into this course which is amazing and

into this course which is amazing and he’s also a really strong interest in

he’s also a really strong interest in

he’s also a really strong interest in encouraging other young people to access

encouraging other young people to access

encouraging other young people to access education against the odds he comes from

education against the odds he comes from

education against the odds he comes from an area where there’s a lot of gang

an area where there’s a lot of gang

an area where there’s a lot of gang activity and violence and there’s only

activity and violence and there’s only

activity and violence and there’s only 16 percent of young people in his area

16 percent of young people in his area

16 percent of young people in his area which are able to access further and

which are able to access further and

which are able to access further and higher education in 2016 so that’s

higher education in 2016 so that’s

higher education in 2016 so that’s something he’s really passionate about

something he’s really passionate about

something he’s really passionate about he’s he does a lot of programs at the

he’s he does a lot of programs at the

he’s he does a lot of programs at the moment he’s involved in Trinities with

moment he’s involved in Trinities with

moment he’s involved in Trinities with our access programs he’s all about

our access programs he’s all about

our access programs he’s all about encouraging other young people and to be

encouraging other young people and to be

encouraging other young people and to be able to access you know these kind of

able to access you know these kind of

able to access you know these kind of opportunities and then finally just one

opportunities and then finally just one

opportunities and then finally just one more Garrett I like to talk about and

more Garrett I like to talk about and

more Garrett I like to talk about and she when she first joined the program

she when she first joined the program

she when she first joined the program she would have been very very withdrawn

she would have been very very withdrawn

she would have been very very withdrawn she would have been very quiet her hair

she would have been very quiet her hair

she would have been very quiet her hair doing and there was a lot of stuff going

doing and there was a lot of stuff going

doing and there was a lot of stuff going on in her family background you know you

on in her family background you know you

on in her family background you know you know as a result of kennefa impacted on

know as a result of kennefa impacted on

know as a result of kennefa impacted on her confidence and but what we find was

her confidence and but what we find was

her confidence and but what we find was that she was an incredible leader in the

that she was an incredible leader in the

that she was an incredible leader in the program and all the other young people

program and all the other young people

program and all the other young people would have really looked up to her and

would have really looked up to her and

would have really looked up to her and so she would have again not really what

so she would have again not really what

so she would have again not really what I thought she was going to stay on her

I thought she was going to stay on her

I thought she was going to stay on her principal actually told me to take her

principal actually told me to take her

principal actually told me to take her because they were going to chuck her out

because they were going to chuck her out

because they were going to chuck her out of school if we didn’t take her in our

of school if we didn’t take her in our

of school if we didn’t take her in our program and so she said she wasn’t

program and so she said she wasn’t

program and so she said she wasn’t really think she never thought of

really think she never thought of

really think she never thought of herself in an educational mindset she

herself in an educational mindset she

herself in an educational mindset she just thought that’s not for me and but

just thought that’s not for me and but

just thought that’s not for me and but we encouraged her she was – you then

we encouraged her she was – you then

we encouraged her she was – you then became the first in her whole family

became the first in her whole family

became the first in her whole family do the Junior sir she was the first no

do the Junior sir she was the first no

do the Junior sir she was the first no family did he leave insert I know she’s

family did he leave insert I know she’s

family did he leave insert I know she’s actually pursuing further education and

actually pursuing further education and

actually pursuing further education and in youth work but the thing that really

in youth work but the thing that really

in youth work but the thing that really the really sticks out for me about this

the really sticks out for me about this

the really sticks out for me about this this young person was when she was like

this young person was when she was like

this young person was when she was like waiting on her leaving set results last

waiting on her leaving set results last

waiting on her leaving set results last year she did an interview on national

year she did an interview on national

year she did an interview on national radio and the presenter said you know

radio and the presenter said you know

radio and the presenter said you know how do you think you’ve done you got it

how do you think you’ve done you got it

how do you think you’ve done you got it pass your exams and she said I don’t

pass your exams and she said I don’t

pass your exams and she said I don’t know I don’t really think so but you

know I don’t really think so but you

know I don’t really think so but you know what it actually doesn’t matter he

know what it actually doesn’t matter he

know what it actually doesn’t matter he said I’m gonna be somebody anyway

said I’m gonna be somebody anyway

said I’m gonna be somebody anyway regardless of whether I pass the exam

regardless of whether I pass the exam

regardless of whether I pass the exam this year she said I know that I’m gonna

this year she said I know that I’m gonna

this year she said I know that I’m gonna be successful no matter what I do she

be successful no matter what I do she

be successful no matter what I do she did pass their exams which is brilliant

did pass their exams which is brilliant

did pass their exams which is brilliant but it was that it was that mentality

but it was that it was that mentality

but it was that it was that mentality that she know had she had a complete

that she know had she had a complete

that she know had she had a complete self belief in herself that she would

self belief in herself that she would

self belief in herself that she would get there no matter what and so that’s

get there no matter what and so that’s

get there no matter what and so that’s the idea that I wanted to share with you

the idea that I wanted to share with you

the idea that I wanted to share with you today that if we can encourage our young

today that if we can encourage our young

today that if we can encourage our young people to have belief in their cells

people to have belief in their cells

people to have belief in their cells they can go on and access other

they can go on and access other

they can go on and access other opportunities that might be education

opportunities that might be education

opportunities that might be education but it’s also about ensuring that they

but it’s also about ensuring that they

but it’s also about ensuring that they can be happy and successful in whatever

can be happy and successful in whatever

can be happy and successful in whatever whatever they do and by opening up these

whatever they do and by opening up these

whatever they do and by opening up these roots to them they can make choices in

roots to them they can make choices in

roots to them they can make choices in life which a lot of these young people

life which a lot of these young people

life which a lot of these young people don’t have thank you

don’t have thank you

don’t have thank you [Applause]

you

you [Music]