Care worker Faisal has impressed the Princes Trust who believe he's one of Scotland's rising stars
Faisal Ahmed has not had the easiest of lives, but the young care worker was determined to do something positive and has now been named Scotland's Rising Star by the Princes Trust.
Impressive Faisal came to Scotland aged 7 speaking no English. He suffered years of bullying and was the victim of racist abuse growing up. Then, when he was 21, he discovered his mum was not his real mum and his life changed forever.
In this video he tells his story in his own words, revealing why the youth employment charity is so impressed.
Following the shock of discovering he had been brought up by his step mum, Faisal tracked down his birth mum only to discover she was misusing drink and drugs and had major mental health problems.
Tragically, just two weeks later she died in a fire started by a dropped cigarette.
Despite this trauma Faisal gained a place on The Prince’s Trust Get into Healthcare programme.
The programme helps unemployed young people find a job in the healthcare industry, and he is now looking to embark on a career in mental health.
Throwing himself into the programme he learned a range of new skills, became one of the top trainees and proved a big hit with all the patients.
NHS Lothian has now offered him a role in Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, as a domestic support service assistant.
Speaking at the Prince’s Trust Celebrate Success Awards, where he was awarded the KMPG Rising Star Award, Faisal said: “It just feels as though this is what I’ve been waiting for all along, and is special because of what happened to my mum.
“To have the chance to honour her memory by helping others is incredible, but it wouldn’t have been possible without The Prince’s Trust.”
Faisal was one of seven winners at the awards which were sponsored by Samsung.
Hosted by Grant Stott, Sanjeev Kohli, Grado, Blythe Duff, and Finn Russell, finalists were chosen in recognition of their determination in overcoming challenges such as anxiety, depression, drug abuse and homelessness and achieving brighter futures for themselves.
A full list of winners is available on the Prince’s Trust website.
