WIREDGOV

A young woman who spent her early years in care and struggled to cope when her adopted mum was diagnosed with cancer has turned her life around and is now a role model to others, thanks to the support of a group in Antrim.

Oasis Caring in Action’s Antrim Youthways project, which offers an alternative education programme for young people aged 12-19, has received £600,000 from Big Lottery Fund to help young people who are facing issues that affect their education.

It’s one of three projects in Northern Ireland awarded a total of £1,795,439 yesterday under Big Lottery Fund’s Empowering Young People programme. The others are Leonard Cheshire Disability’s Access for Success project, which is working in Omagh and Derry/Londonderry and Off the Streets’ FATE project, which is working in Derry/Londonderry (click here for more details)  

Paige Floyd (17) from Antrim had started life in care until she was adopted as a toddler and those early years left an impact. Three years ago she found herself struggling in school, getting in trouble and feeling lost. Then her beloved mum, Rosemary Lindsay, was diagnosed with lung cancer, and Paige had to return to care temporarily.

But with support from Oasis Caring in Action, she’s got her education back on track, rebuilt her relationships and moved back home.

 “In secondary school, I was really troubled and quite difficult. I had bottled everything up from my past and it became too much to handle. I became angry and felt like everyone was against me. My behaviour was out of control,” Paige said.

Paige’s parents had divorced some years earlier and she continued to live with her mum. Around the time of her behaviour issues, her mum was diagnosed with lung cancer. Paige was terrified she was going to lose her.

“I was trying to keep my mum happy. I was getting myself up in the mornings then helping my mum get dressed and get breakfast. Some nights I hardly slept because I was constantly worrying about her and worrying that I would have to go back into care as well, because there is only my mum and me.”

While her mum was ill, Paige did have to return to care temporarily. She was living in a foster home when her teachers advised her to go to Oasis Caring in Action. There she received the support she needed to get back on track with her education including one to one and group support.

“The first year, I had some ups and downs but the staff at Oasis saw potential in me. I decided to put my head down and work well in my classes there. I developed a bond with my key worker, Jenny and I have a lot of respect for her. I worked hard and came out with good qualifications,” Paige said.

“I got a lot of positive comments from everyone and that wasn’t something I was used to in education. I finally started to feel like I was getting somewhere in life.”

With support from Oasis, Paige gained seven GCSE equivalents and has earned three more since. The keen footballer is currently completing a Sports Studies Diploma at the North Eastern Regional College in Antrim.

Rosemary’s cancer went into remission and the support they both got from Oasis helped them to build up their relationship again.

Rosemary said: "Coming along to the centre with Paige for the health and wellbeing classes gave me an opportunity to meet with other mothers whose children found it hard to cope in school. Over a cuppa we were able share stories and support each other. Sometimes Paige joined us for craft activities like making jewellery, and our relationship steadily improved."

They were reunited and Paige moved back home with renewed hope for the future. She is now training as a young leader at Oasis, helping out with the new five year Big Lottery funded Antrim Youthways project. It is working with young people like Paige who are facing issues, including bereavement, bullying, caring responsibilities and eating disorders, which can affect their education.

Paige said: “I love working with the younger people coming through Oasis. Some of them look up to me because I have come so far. I explain to them how it was with me and they find that very inspirational. I am excited about my future for the first time, and I am so proud at this moment in my life.

“My mum is over the moon for me too. I’m learning to drive and if and when I pass my driving test I’ll be taking the 0asis staff out and treating them. I feel like they’re part of my family now.”

Pamela Shields, Antrim centre manager with Oasis Caring in Action, said “Paige is an amazing young woman who has excelled on the programme and transformed her life. Together with Paige and the other young leaders, Oasis Caring in Action Antrim are excited to move into a new era, knowing that this new funding from Big Lottery Fund will allow so many other young people in our community like Paige realise their potential and move into education, employment and get involved in the community again.” 

Joanne McDowell, Big Lottery Fund NI Director, said: “I am delighted to announce these grants awarded under the Empowering Young People programme, which is investing £50 million over the next five years to help transform the lives of young people in communities across Northern Ireland.

“We want to fund great projects that put young people in the lead in increasing their skills and confidence, and support them to have stronger relationships so they can cope better with the challenges they face and reach their potential. We are looking forward to seeing the positive impact these three projects will make to many young people across Northern Ireland.”

More information about the Empowering Young People funding programme can be found on our website, www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/northernireland.  

For media enquiries, please contact Lucy Gollogly at the Big Lottery Fund Press Office:

Direct line: 028 90 551 432

Out of hours media contact: 07580 811135

Website: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/northernireland  

Twitter: @BIGNIonline #BigLottery

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFundNI 

Notes to Editors:

• The Big Lottery Fund supports the aspirations of people who want to make life better for their communities across the UK. We are responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery and invest over £650 million a year in projects big and small in health, education, environment and charitable purposes.
• Since June 2004 we have awarded over £6.5billion to projects that make a difference to people and communities in need, from early years intervention to commemorative travel funding for World War Two veterans.
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £35 billion has been raised and more than 490,000 grants awarded.