Annual Awards for Achievement 2008

Roger Sterba Achievement Against Adversity Award

Winner - Donna Morel

Donna Morel from Hastings, has won an Achievement Award by national employment charity Tomorrow's People.

The Tomorrow's People annual Awards for Achievement pay tribute to people who have overcome significant barriers in their quest to get into work. Donna attended the awards ceremony at Plaisterers' Hall, London on Wednesday 12th November. She has won the Roger Sterba Memorial Award, which marks a client's journey to employment - where he or she has faced particular difficulty in achieving their goal. This special award commemorates the late Roger Sterba, who, as manager of Tomorrow's People in Kent, made such a difference to many hundreds of disadvantaged people.

Donna came to Tomorrow's People in 2007 after being referred by her local Job Centre. She wanted to gain confidence and improve her skills in order to move into employment.

Unfortunately, from an early age Donna experienced family trauma which badly affected her confidence and self-esteem and caused considerable problems at school. Donna left school early and was also forced to leave home aged 16. After moving to Hastings, she became involved in the drugs scene and became pregnant and continued to suffer both mentally and physically.

However, despite all the issues she has had to face in her personal life, Donna has never given up. Her resiliance and persistence has paid off and having been referred to Tomorrow's People, she is now in a job that she loves. She began in a temporary position, but her conscientiousness and and ability with people led to her being offered a permanent position. Donna grew rapidly in confidence and impressed her employers so much that she has now been promoted to a supervisory position with more responsibility. Donna has turned her life around and is a wonderful example of what can be achieved to others who have suffered serious disadvantage.

Runner Up - Ian McGhee

Read his story here.