A FORMER student in Rhyl has taken on a job as a trainee youth worker with a charity based in the town.

Ellie Wilkinson studied the level three diploma in uniformed protective services at Coleg Llandrillo’s Rhyl campus.

 She was offered a job with Brighter Futures following a recruitment process involving not only the charity’s staff, but also the young people they support.

Ellie now works alongside the charity’s experienced youth worker, drawing on her experiences of working with young people through activities with North Wales Police and through her involvement in football.

READ MORE:

Vehicle breaks down at Rhyl roundabout, motorists urged to avoid area

More arrests in Rhyl as supply of class A and B drugs intercepted

Man stole car in Kinmel Bay before leading police on 95mph chase

 She said: “I am really proud to have been offered this opportunity, and I am really enjoying the job so far.

 “Growing up in Rhyl, I experienced challenges and difficulties myself, and struggled without support.

“It is fantastic to be able to support other young people to help them create better lives for themselves.

“I really look forward to developing my skills and experience with the hope that I can make a difference.”

Brighter Futures works to reduce social isolation, loneliness and poverty in Rhyl, providing support and services to children, young people, parents, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

The opportunity for Ellie to join Brighter Futures came about after the charity made a funding application to the Neumark Foundation.

The foundation works with organisations that positively impact the lives of children and young people across North Wales.

Brighter Futures chief executive, Shane Owen, said: “The support from The Neumark Foundation has enabled us to employ Ellie as a trainee youth worker.

“This is an exciting opportunity for us, as Ellie is a young person who has grown up in Rhyl, and has a good understanding of our community.

“We hope this will help us shape our activities and services, while providing new energy and perspectives to feed into our future plans for succession and sustainability.

“It is also very exciting for us to demonstrate to local young people that opportunities can and do arise for local young people to learn and progress into employment.”

Rebecca Neumark, chief executive of The Neumark Foundation, said: “At the Neumark Foundation, nothing is ever set in stone for us.

“When we see an opportunity that will effectively make a positive difference for children and young people, we will do everything we can to support, sometimes going over and above expectations and specific asks.

“It’s such a pleasure to meet Ellie. I know she is really keen to make the most of this opportunity, and it will make such a difference for the young people she is supporting.

“Brighter Futures truly is inspiring, and it is a privilege to be able to support them in their development.”