Since
joining CTDU my confidence has grown a great deal, at the beginning I found it
very difficult to speak to anyone I didn't know but with gentle persuasion from
Iyaah I began to open up more in public giving my views on various topics. I now
lobby councillors, MP's and MSPs about my local area in Bonnybridge.
Going
on the Active Citizens course with another twelve people really opened my eyes
to the problems people face in our communities, one of CTDU's members, Jackie
Beresford, had cerebral palsy which confined her to a wheel chair. Jackie told
us about the difficulties people who use wheel chairs have just getting out of
their homes at night to social events, and she helped to form a group to lobby
councils to enable wheelchair friendly taxis to become available at night. Jackie
became a great inspiration not only to me, but to all the students she met and
I am very grateful to have known such a brave and determined person.
I
joined the CTDU committee, gained even more experience, and became the Chairperson
in 2005. My first year as Chair was a period of ups and downs, with Jackie our
friend and valued committee member passing away and Iyaah leaving the staff team,
but I think that that period has helped me when things get tough because I have
grown stronger.
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In 2003 I decided to do an HNC in working in communities, it seemed an impossible task but with the help of Iyaah, Rosemary and last but not least Fiona who helped me a great deal. Without their help I think I would have given up at the first hurdle. My tasks were working with a group to organise sessions on subjects of their choice, researching the Internet, and trying to make the sessions as informative as possible while making it enjoyable. Some of the other tasks involved were organising the transport for each day the sessions were taking place, phoning the students with the arrangements and planning the day on flip charts. I also gathered the ideas and thoughts of the students, which they had written on paper and on the flip charts and typed them up recording them on the computer for future reference. In the sessions we discussed global issues such as the Tsunami and Aids in Africa and I also organised speakers to come to Bothkennar to speak to the students. I enjoyed doing this so much I am still organising the sessions on different subjects, learning about poverty and the lack of human rights around the world. In the future I would like to see other members of the students association taking sessions with the students because this will give them more confidence.
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|  speaking at the Annual General Meeting |
So as you can see from going from not being able to speak in public to going on a stage at Stirling Castle to collect my award my confidence is 100% improved. The
friendships that I have formed at Bothkennar have been a great help to me and
give me the confidence to do more with my life, I even have a better social life
since joining CTDU, meeting some very good friends for events out side of CTDU.
So joining CTDU has been good for my health. |
