Annual Awards for Achievement 2008

Award For Personal Achievement (16-25)

Runner Up - Kelly-Jo Jones

Kelly-Jo Jones, a 22-year old from Hastings, has been chosen as runner-up for an Achievement Award from national employment charity Tomorrow's People.

The charity's Annual Awards for Achievement pay tribute to people who have overcome significant barriers in their quest to get into work. Kelly-Jo attended the awards ceremony at Plaisterers' Hall, London on Wednesday 12th November. She has been selected as runner-up in the category 'Award for Personal Achievement (16-25yrs)' which recognises young people who have overcome personal difficulties to get into employment, education or training.

Kelly-Jo came to Tomorrow's People after a series of serious and traumatic events in her personal life left her depressed and out of work. Kelly-Jo felt that she was passed from pillar to post and not getting the help she needed to move forward with her life. She had no idea that coming to Tomorrow' People would give her the opportunity to turn her life around.

After a slow start, Kelly-Jo began to build a sense of personal belief and to see the ways in which she could help herself develop and grow. The help and support Kelly-Jo received, not only from the staff at Tomorrow's People, but from her peers on the course, gave her a sense of community. Hard work and endeavour helped her to make up for her missed education and Kelly-Jo's potential was recognised by Camber Sands holiday park who gave her a job as Front of House and Sous Chef. Kelly-Jo says that she now has a sense of self-worth and feels valued. She says "I have learned from Tomorrow's People to respect myself, and have realised that life needn't be mundane and living is not for the fainthearted!"