Ex-Passport student awarded Crisis Changing Lives Long Term Achievement Award
Access to Industry student – Alastair Kirkhope – was recognised as the Barclays Bank Achiever of the Year at a prestigious award ceremony hosted by Crisis on 19 October 2009 at Barclays HQ in Canary Wharf London.
Alastair Kirkhope
Alastair, who had suffered from alcohol addiction and been homeless in Edinburgh, had been a recipient of a Crisis Changing Lives grant to assist him to set up his own gardening business. He was also the winner in the Long Term Achiever category and was presented with his award from MP Caroline Spelman, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
His story was so inspiring that he was chosen out of 300 entrants as Barclays Achiever of the Year and the CEO of Barclays, John Farley noted that the best route to improving lives is through employment as he awarded Alastair with the overall prize.
Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government Caroline Spelman MP said:
“When someone has reached a decision to change their life then we must be ready at that moment to support them. The Changing Lives programme recognises the willingness of the individual to make a difference and that is supported here by Crisis and Barclays. And we’ve seen the results of lives being changed here today.”
Alastair and MP Caroline Spelman
Alastair first came into contact with the Access to Industry Transition project at Leith Job Centre+ in Feb 07, at that time he was staying at Dunedin Hostel. The Transition outreach worker – Seamus, supported him to explore options and helped him to get on to a 13 week self employment course through JC+ .Through the support of Transition, Alastair completed the Personal Effectiveness SQA and created his marketing and business plan and applied for the Crisis Changing Lives Award in collaboration with a self employment adviser and his caseworker at Bethany, where he had spent 6 months in rehab. With Seamus he worked through his tax credit and driving licence issues and he made the transition from incapacity benefit to self employed landscape gardener with further assistance from the Capital City Partnership.
Access to Industy Chief Executive Sian Fiddimore with Alastair and his wife Margaret
Access to Industry Chief Executive Sian Fiddimore, who was present at the ceremony, was delighted with Alastair’s achievements, and said:
“His story has highlighted how with the right support and motivation it is possible to turn your life around – but it takes determination, time and a partnership approach. Alastair is a fantastic role model for the other participants on the Access to Industry Passport and Transition programmes and is an inspiration to us all, I am very proud and wish him and his family every success in the future.”
Since setting up his landscape gardening business Alastair’s customer base has grown to the point that he is now considering taking on new staff, he has just bought a house in the Borders and is full of ideas on how to encourage others like him to break away from addictions and start a new life.
Alastair with the CEO of Barcalys Bank
About his achievements today Alastair says “I can’t believe what I’ve achieved! It’s not been easy but I’ve worked hard to build my business and take any work I could find. I’ve received great support along the way both from family and agencies like Access to Industry. I’m going to keep working to improve my life!”
Alastair, CEO of Barclays Bank and Daisy McAndrew, ITN
