Young woman from Ballyclare wins prestigious King's Trust Award
Natalie, age 22 from Ballyclare, has been named as the winner of an award from The King’s Trust after overcoming a difficult time during her school days and showing immense determination to turn things around.
The King’s Trust and TK Maxx Awards recognise young people who have succeeded against the odds, improved their chances in life and had a positive impact on their local community. Natalie scooped the Delta Air Lines Breakthrough Award which recognises a young person who has overcome personal barriers to take their very first steps towards achieving their goals.
“Before the programme, I dreaded getting out of bed each day but now I have the confidence to tackle problems head-on and have a supportive community around me.”
Natalie has experienced many struggles with her mental and physical health which have impacted her home life and her education. Isolated and unable to find work after leaving college, she struggled to see a future for herself. Determined not to give up, she approached The King’s Trust for support and, six months later, is still employed by TK Maxx and living with a new-found confidence.
“My school days were tough. I was bullied for 10 years which greatly impacted my self-esteem and physical health. It also contributed to me developing social anxiety – even placing my order in a fast-food restaurant was completely overwhelming and I was worried about being judged.”
Natalie’s mental health was further impacted by medical treatment which involved living in isolation for four weeks. This worsened her anxiety and depression and caused physical symptoms that knocked her confidence. After finishing school, Natalie went to college to gain a qualification in animal management but young people her own age remained a big trigger.
“After leaving college, I had hoped things would get easier but I applied to over 50 jobs in eight months without a positive outcome. I felt as though my health problems were seen as a burden by employers. It was frustrating as I was putting so much effort into getting a job but no one would give me a chance.”
When her Work Coach mentioned The King’s Trust Get into Retail programme with TK Maxx, Natalie was curious.
“I was extremely nervous on the taster day and dreaded walking into a room full of young people but the atmosphere in The King’s Trust centre put me at ease – everyone was accepting and non-judgmental. I was reassured that if I felt anxious, I could find a quiet place to step away. As part of the programme, we did a work placement in a TK Maxx store and the staff accommodated all my support needs. It made me realise that people aren’t always critical and scary.”
Over the four weeks, Natalie’s confidence grew.
“Since finishing the programme, my life has completely turned around. I was offered a part-time contract at TK Maxx and am loving it! Recently, for the first time in eight years, I walked into a café and made an order completely by myself.
“My goal is to one day feel ready for university and I would love to work with animals eventually. For now, I am very happy growing my confidence and skills at TK Maxx and working towards fulfilling my dreams.”
On winning the Delta Air Lines Breakthrough Award, Natalie said:
“It hasn’t fully sunk in that I have won the Breakthrough Award, but I’m massively proud of how much I’ve achieved and how far I’ve come.”
Monira Zahan, Red Coat at Delta Air Lines, presented Natalie with her award. She said: “Well done Natalie. Your resilience, determination, and belief in yourself inspire everyone around you. You have paved your way for a positive future and we wish you every success."
Now Natalie is in with a chance to become a National King’s Trust Award winner at a very special event in May 2026. A King’s Trust Celebrationin partnership with TK Maxx will spotlight winners from across the UK. Held at the iconic Royal Albert Hall, this special evening will bring music, comedy, awards, and unforgettable performances together. The night will celebrate the courage, creativity, and achievements of young people supported by The King’s Trust in the UK and around the world.
Youth charity The King’s Trust gives young people the skills and confidence to get their lives on track. Three in four young people helped by The King’s Trust in the past five years have moved into work, training or education. With almost a million young people not in work, education or training, the Trust is committed to ending youth unemployment so that every young person has the opportunity to succeed.