News / People
Royal award for Bristol teenager who succeeded against the odds
The bullying that Alex Driscoll faced at school crushed his confidence and led to a downward spiral that affected his mental health and grades.
But the 19-year-old, who works at House of Fraser in Cabot Circus, has now gained a national Rising Star award for the way he has turned his life around and succeeded against the odds.
As a child, Alex struggled to make friends and was bullied at school, he was then diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and picked on further because of his illness – to the extent that he felt too embarrassed to take his insulin shots.
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Desperate to fit in, the teenager started drinking with a group of peers, but ended up in hospital with alcohol poisoning. The challenges he faced affected his mental health and his grades suffered, so he ended up failing his A-levels.
At what felt like his lowest point, Alex was referred to The Prince’s Trust, a charity that works to empower young people, and went on apply to the charity’s Get in Retail programme.
Through this, his confidence grew, and he has now secured a full-time job as a retail assistant.
His inspiring journey saw Alex win the Delta Air Lines Rising Star Award at The Prince’s Trust and TK Maxx & Homesense South West Awards. He was presented with the award at a ceremony held in 1532 Performing Arts Centre.
“Thanks to The Prince’s Trust, I no longer feel like a waste of space,” says the teenager. “I now have a full-time job and I am proud, not ashamed, of who I am.”
Reflecting on his journey, Alex says: “When I was ten, I blamed myself for difficulties at home. The kids at school started bullying me and once they threw a bag at me so hard that it fractured my hand.
“When I was 13, I collapsed and went into a coma. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and was bullied for that too. I was so embarrassed about taking my insulin, sometimes I’d skip my shots.
“I was so desperate to fit in that I started drinking with a group of others, but ended up in hospital with alcohol poisoning.
“My grades at school slipped and I ended up failing my A-Levels. I spent months applying for jobs and apprenticeships, but didn’t get anywhere.
“I was at the JobCentre Plus when someone from The Prince’s Trust told me about Get into Retail. It sounded good, but I worried about meeting new people, talking to customers and whether my diabetes would get in my way. But at the same time, I wanted to learn and push myself, so I did.
“The course was brilliant; I felt more confident every day and at the end of the course was offered part-time work.”
Alex Driscoll and Mike Henny from award sponsor Delta Air Lines
He adds: “I’m absolutely over the moon to receive my award, it’s such an honour to be recognised in this way.
“The trust came into my life when I was at my lowest and with their support I’ve come such a long way and am enjoying my job.
“I am now a Young Ambassador for The Prince’s Trust and hope I can do more to support young people like me.”
Sumanth Rao, director of international finance at Delta Air Lines said: “Alex is a very inspiring young man.
“At such a young age, he’s faced considerable challenges, but I hugely admire his resilience and determination not to let it stop him succeeding and being proud of who he is.”
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