Ally to use University degree to help other young people with fewer opportunities

After receiving support from Bridges Project, Ally Stewart has been inspired to help other young people who grew up with the same challenges as her. That’s why she decided to study teaching at Stirling University.

The 18-year-old from Prestonpans started her degree this month, with the prospect of becoming a primary school teacher. Her dream is to work with children with additional support needs.    

“I want to make a big difference to children who have been disadvantaged, like myself. I didn’t have as many opportunities as others when I grew up and I want to help others in the same position,” said Ally.

After her father passed away seven years ago, Ally became a young carer for her mum. She therefore had no one to teach her many of the essential life skills needed for adulthood, and more specifically, moving away for University. Being referred to Bridges Project became a turning point.

“I didn’t know how to budget, do food shopping or cook – all the things that you need to know when moving away for University,” said the 18-year-old.

The Prestonpans teenager first started working with Bridges Project’s Young Carers Service, which was funded by East Lothian Council, in February. This enabled her to identify that she was a young carer, complete a Young Carer Statement and explore support options available to her.

Ally then moved on to the charity’s Homemaker Service, also funded by East Lothian Council, where she has been working with Independent Living Support Worker Nicola Melvin. Together, they have been working on budgeting, shopping planning and cooking skills.

“I was able to go with Nicola to the shops, figure out how much things cost, do the actual shopping and then cook a decent meal. To get this real-life experience instead of just learning about it was incredibly valuable,” said Ally.

 The Prestonpans teenager said she especially appreciates the ongoing and open-ended support provided by Bridges Project.

 “I feel like I have a real bond with the staff, who are always so helpful. Even if Nicola was unable to help me with a specific issue, I knew there was always someone else she could refer me to who could help,” she said.

 One example of other staff stepping in was when the teenager needed help with writing her CV, when Educational Support Worker Sam Lamond offered her support. Sam’s post is funded by the Robertson Trust.

 “I feel the CV writing support has given me an upper hand when applying for jobs. Together with the independent living support, this has given me a lot of confidence and I now know how to live by myself,” said Ally.

Despite having been at University for only a few weeks, the first-year student has already put the skills she has learned at Bridges Project into practice.

 “I have already used the budgeting and cooking skills I learned from Nicola,” said Ally.

The 18-year-old admitted she was initially worried about moving away from home. This all changed after receiving support from Bridges Project.

“The support has helped me massively and made me less overwhelmed when I got to University. Everything I was worried about before is much less of a worry now thanks to Nicola,” said Ally.

Nicola can also not praise her young client enough and she believes Ally has a bright future as a teacher:

“Ally is such a positive and inspirational role model for so many young people. She is humble, grounded and personable but also extremely intelligent. She will be an ideal teacher and role model for those children she will go on to teach and help.”