I went to Tong School for five years and enjoyed the school life and I also enjoyed the freedom of being at an upper school. My final school year was the dreaded year 11 course work, GCSE’S and a lot of pressure, pressure that was too much for me and I messed up big time and I refused to go back to school for the most important exams of my young adult life. After leaving school earlier than I should of I had nothing to do staying at home every hour of every day that was the story for the next 6 months. Then the opportunity came along for me do volunteer with a sports charity called One in a million. I worked closely with the sports development worker and now close friend Chris Lawson. We worked together to set up and youth club for children aged 7 to 12 years old. This was the moment my life change from lazy lay about to assistant head coach of this wonderful project.
My former colleague Chris Lawson taught me a lot of valuable lessons about life; he inspired me to in to applying for a job at McDonalds. That was when my life changed once again I went for an interview and luckily for me, they offered me a full time position at one of there stores. I was so grateful for all the support that the charity had given me, one year later 2009 things got even better for me when the Integrated youth support offered me a life changing experience to take part in an international residential to Cuba! This was something I could not turn down and I had earned enough money for me to take part in the trip.
The two weeks in Cuba changed my whole perception of life back home in England. I will never forget the group of 13 people that I went to Cuba with. We went as individuals and came back as a team. When I returned to the U.K. the charity that I had volunteered for offered me an Apprenticeship, which I accepted immediately.
My life has changed considerably over the past two-years. I did mess up at school but I turned my life around, found employment, and I am striving in my current positions with the charity and McDonalds.
My message for young people is that there are things out there for you grab each opportunity that comes at you with both hands. If you haven’t done to well at school like me, remember that is not the end of your life or the end of your dreams for that career you really want!
Thomas Stokes- sports and activities youth development worker
One in a million
Click the logo to find out more about One in a Million
