A COLDSTREAM man has received a prestigious award from a national employment charity.

David Black, 23, was named Young Achiever of the Year at a glittering ceremony for the Tomorrow's People employment charity in Glasgow last week.

The award is aimed at young people who have overcome personal barriers to move into employment, education or training.

David completed the Tomorrow’s People Galashiels Works! 10 week programme earlier this year. The programme aims to help unemployed young people in isolated rural areas to find new opportunities and work.

He went on a real journey throughout his time at Tomorrow’s People. With a partner and a young daughter to support, his financial situation initially posed a barrier to him even attending the programme. It was then agreed by Tomorrow’s People that David would be reimbursed on a daily basis for his travel so his daughter wouldn’t be deprived of anything.

David began applying for numerous jobs, though he always insisted on using his tablet instead of the computers provided. After a few days alarm bells started to ring for David’s adviser, who could see he was putting in a lot of effort but simply wasn’t hearing back from any employers.

Eventually it was decided that a very gentle conversation needed to be had with David to see if he had ever been tested for Dyslexia. David was very honest and admitted that he had struggled all the way through school. This was a turning point for him as he could finally receive the help he needed. David’s confidence soared and he got some work experience with Radio Borders. He no longer felt the need to hide behind his tablet and a smart, funny, and talkative young man emerged for everyone to see.

Since finishing with Galashiels Works! David has attended an open day with Radio Clyde and wants to learn more about working in radio. David has also started full time work through the employment agency he signed up with on week one with Galashiels Works! He has also moved out of the flat he shared with his partner and his daughter into a house with a garden back in his home town of Coldstream. He says he has never been happier.

Scott Wright, Tomorrow’s People adviser in Galashiels said: “To do what we do and to watch people like David succeed is the reason I enjoy coming into work every day. Galashiels Works! is proud of all the young people we work with as they all have their own success story to tell. To some people it may not seem like much but to the people we work with it makes a huge difference. Little steps can make a journey a lot more manageable, especially if you are not alone."