A former Weston College student who struggled to live independently has won a top award from the Prince’s Trust.

Carly Williams, of Weston-super-Mare, won the Trust’s Samsung Young Achiever of The Year award, and was presented with it by Prince Charles at a glittering ceremony at the Odeon cinema in London’s Leicester Square.

Carly, 21, won the South West heat of the award in November last year and was put through to the final with three other nominees who all had overcome barriers and sustained work/ education.

Despite struggling with depression and low self-esteem , Carly came to Weston College and completed an Access to Higher Education course.  She is now studying social work at Sheffield Hallam University.

With her at the ceremony was Danielle Day, who supported her throughout her time on the Prince’s Trust programme and is now a Weston College staff member.

She said: “We always knew Carly was capable of going to university, but she lacked confidence in herself and she needed support.  As her confidence grew she found she could do the things she wanted and she’s fitted in really well at university.

“She has done amazingly well, and I was so proud of her when she went up to receive the award from Prince Charles. The cinema was packed full of celebrities, and Carly made Prince Charles laugh when she kicked off her shoes before walking up the steps to receive her award.”

Carly was placed in care from the age of five and her time as a looked-after child wasn’t easy. Her first placement was one of many to break down.

It wasn’t until she was placed at the age of 13 that she began to receive the support and stability she had always craved. However, when she turned 18, she decided to live independently.

“I loved my foster parents, but after 13 years in the system, I was encouraged to live on my own, only it wasn’t how I’d imagined,” she said. “I was lonely and everything got on top of me. It was like lots of the stuff that happened to me when I was young had come back to haunt me.”

Carly sank into a depression and needed medication and counselling to help her cope.  Her confidence was in tatters when she joined Team, a Prince’s Trust programme that gives unemployed young people the skills and confidence to f ind work.

Rising to different challenges on the programme, Carly became more patient, discovered she had talents for problem solving and organising others, and felt a real sense of worth on a community-based project.

The actress Joan Collins was among the celebrities (including Ant and Dec, Pixie Lott and Vernon Kay) who attended. She said: “It is an absolute honour to be celebrating these truly remarkable and inspiring young people. I would like to congratulate each and every one of them for turning their lives around and showing that with just a little support, you can go a long way.

“Too many young people are facing unemployment, homelessness and depression. I have been a Prince’s Trust Ambassador for a number of years and have seen first-hand how vital their work is.”

The College’s library service beat off tough UK competition to scoop a Best National Practice Award for its unique level of technical support.

The Council for Learning Services in College (ColRiC) judges chose Weston College’s LibraryPlus-based and cost-free ‘TechGenius’ service for its service interaction.

Technology and Library Team Leader Jon Hofgartner said: “This is brilliant news. TechGenius was set up by Learning Technologist Louise Hutson with Foundation Degree Computing students gaining work experience by helping others with computer, tablet, laptop, PC and phone glitches.

“Around eight TechGeniuses rotate campuses offering general technical advice – from help setting up new phones to support with any computing device.”

Foundation Degree Computing student and TechGenius support Ryan Prescott, 20, of Ashcombe Road, Weston, said: “Weston College provided us with a great opportunity to work on a real help desk. We hope winning this award will bring more recognition to the TechGenius program and look forward to helping more people.”

Chair of CoLRiC, Margaret Phillips, said: “CoLRiC launched these awards as we are convinced there are many unsung heroes in Libraries making a truly magnificent difference to learners. We have been overwhelmed by the number and quality of the entries and the commitment given by staff to the service and their institutions.”

In the last three years the College’s Library Service has invested over £1 million and now has 22 staff.

Service Head of Executive Lead Quality and Learning, Claire Bushell, explained: “ Three years ago the college started from scratch to create state-of-the-art learning facilities on all campuses which are vibrant, office-free spaces where students study, discuss, think and create in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

“We have nearly 200 computers, laptops, tablets, cameras and Kindles and technologically-confident accessible staff who support students. There are also quiet spaces and times.

“It’s wonderful our students are integral to winning this national award. The feedback we get from library users is incredibly positive and it’s now a very valued resource.”

On April 28^th Jisc is set to hold a Learning Technology Forum at LibraryPlus on Knightstone’s campus.

It will be an opportunity for education professionals across the region to tap into the latest teaching and learning technology resources.

The College is also organising its first ever Technology Enhanced Learning Conference at Knightstone’s campus on July 9^th which is open to anyone in Secondary, Further and Higher Education.

Claire added: “The conference is an exciting first for us with a range of sessions from developing technology enhanced learning with social media and of course TechGenius.”

A ‘double first’ for Weston College Apprentices was celebrated on the town’s Grand Pier last week.

Around 70 Apprentices took part in the ‘TrailBlazer’ event, the first of its kind to be held by a UK college and the first graduation ceremony ever to be held entirely on a British pier.

The event was just one of six to be held around the UK and was funded by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) and managed by the Association of Colleges (AoC) and the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP).

Despite inclement weather, Apprentices from many different fields gathered to receive certificates marking their achievements and to hear inspirational speeches from fellow Apprentices, employers and BBC’s ‘The Apprentice’ finalist Jim Eastwood.

After a photocall, Apprentices and their families filed into the pier’s main building for the ceremony. Weston College Principal and Chief Executive Dr Paul Phillips, OBE, introduced the event.

Dr Phillips praised the efforts of all the graduates, and thanked all employers, sponsors and organisations involved in creating TrailBlazer.

Talking about the benefits of hiring apprentices, Jill Male, of Wrington-based company Freelance Surgical, said: “Every apprentice should be proud of what they have achieved and learned. It is essential in business that young people are given the opportunity to continue developing.”

Among those graduating was 20-year-old Jodie Pickles, of Weston. She took a Level Three Apprenticeship in Business Administration and is working for Broadway Lodge, a Weston-based charity providing residential treatment in the field of addiction.

She said: “I began in administration and now I work in HR and IT. I really enjoyed my Apprenticeship and Weston College has been very supportive the entire time. I wasn’t expecting a graduation ceremony but it’s a real boost for everyone here today.”

Speaking at the event, 37-year-old Nikki Durkin, who works for GE Oil and Gas in Nailsea, described how an Apprenticeship furthered her career while enabling her to maintain a work-life balance.

She said: “I would encourage anyone to go out and learn new work-based skills. An Apprenticeship is a fantastic way of gaining knowledge and developing your career.”

Keynote speaker Jim Eastwood, now the Vice President of internet voucher firm Groupon, talked about his time on ‘The Apprentice’ and praised Weston College’s efforts to raise awareness of Apprenticeships and increase the numbers of Apprentices on its books.

He said: “Apprenticeships are credible. They’re not just an alternative form of education. You gain experience and, as we’ve heard, 90 per cent of Weston College Apprentices are retained by their employers after the Apprenticeship is finished. They are a fantastic way into industry.”

Also graduating was Wendy Hatfield, a South African national now living in Burnham-on-Sea. She took a Level Three in Hospitality and Supervision and worked at the Holiday Inn, near Bristol Airport.

She said: “My experience was a very good one. The Apprenticeship taught me how to manage people and it really boosted my confidence. The Apprenticeships team at Weston College have been brilliant and very supportive. I struggled with Maths but I received a very high level of support and got through it with their help.”

Dr Phillips said: “This has been a ground-breaking ceremony, and not only because we are the first and only College in the UK to hold it but also because it is the first on a UK pier.

“I’d like to take the opportunity to congratulate all our Apprentices today, and also their employers for investing in such talent and enthusiasm. Apprenticeships are a great way of earning while you learn and I’d urge anyone interested – both employers and potential employees – to get in touch with our Apprenticeships team.”