A BARRY teenager tormented by bullies at school has shown that childhood trauma need not knock you down and has become a positive role model.

Eighteen-year-old Kelly-Anne Cowling has overcome her social and emotional issues to thrive in a job caring for young children, having been taken on as a nursery assistant by PhillyBear’s playgroup, in Barry.

Her job comes after she impressed her employers on a work placement set up through the youth employment and training charity Rathbone Cymru.

Kelly-Anne said: “When I came to Rathbone Cymru I’d previously had issues with behaviour and attendance at school and the relationships I had with many of my teachers had been negative because of the effect of the bullying I’d had.

“I found it difficult to mix with other learners and was very quiet.”

Kelly-Anne’s confidence grew as she worked solidly throughout her learning programme even though she felt she would struggle with literacy.

Care assessor for Rathbone Training in Barry, Vicki Thomas, said: “Kelly-Anne welcomed all of the feedback we gave and could not have done more to produce the work required as she regularly opted to take work home so as not to fall behind.”

Kelly-Anne’s then started her work placement with PhillyBear’s playgroup as she had always wanted to work with children.

She completed a Level 1 Btec in Caring for Children and the nursery has now employed her and is supporting her to achieve her Level 2.

Kelly-Anne said: “Vicki has really helped me to complete my level 1 as I didn’t think that I could do it. I cannot wait to start my Level 2.”

Kelly-Anne’s confidence within the playgroup has been nurtured and developed by her supervisor and colleagues and she has become an essential part of their team.

Vicki added: “This is an excellent progression opportunity for Kelly-Anne and I hope her story can encourage and motivate other learners on this route to continue to work towards their goal.

“As her Btec tutor, I am extremely proud of her and could not have asked for anything more. She is an excellent learner and it has been a pleasure to be part of her career development and I know she will be successful in the future.”

Rathbone delivers work-based learning, employability training and work experience to young people across Wales.

Contact Rathbone Cymru’s centre in Barry on 01446 722008.

Alternatively, visit www.rathboneuk.org

You can also follow Rathbone on Twitter at @rathbone_uk or like Facebook at www.facebook.com/RathboneUK