WORKING out what your skills are and where your future lies can be tough for young people leaving school with little confidence or practical experience.

Luckily for Paisley teenager Nadia Allan, however, she got the chance to attend an innovative voluntary programme run by Barnardo’s Scotland. While there, her natural talent for helping others was recognised and nurtured.

And now, after impressing those who run the programme so much that they offered her a full-time job, she is well on her way to achieving her ambition to become a trained counsellor.

Barnardo’s Works equips disaffected and disadvantaged young people with the skills, experience and opportunities to access independent, sustainable employment in a range of industries by addressing the issues at the root of social exclusion and helping the participants overcome disadvantage and the impact of poverty.

It also gives them the opportunity to talk through their options.

Nadia, 16, who attended the scheme as part of the Scottish Government’s Scotland’s Best programme, said: “A lot of people leaving school are ready to work but don’t know what to do next – we just need a bit of advice to help us along the path.

“When I was told about the programme I thought it would be a great way to gain some work experience.

“It also helped me realise how much I enjoy working with other people.”

As part of her role as a project worker’s assistant, Nadia now delivers workshops to other young people on issues such as bullying.

“That’s the part of her job I enjoy most,” she said. “Putting together all the information and presenting it in an interesting way gives you the chance to be creative.”

Scotland’s Best was set up to ensure young people continue to benefit from the legacy of the Commonwealth Games and it has already supported 1,000 young people to gain valuable employability skills, work experience and qualifications at SCQF level 4.

Nadia said: “A lot of the people I’m working with are the same age as me which can be a barrier for some, but others have said they find it easier to speak to someone they can relate to. It wasn’t so long ago that I was in the same situation as those I’m working with, so I genuinely can empathise.”

Nadia, who has embarked on a level 3 Modern Apprenticeship in Youth Work and is just finalising the Platinum Youth achieving award, believes the experience she gained made her think about her future in a different way.

“I think for young people it’s important that they try different things so they can judge where their skills and interest really lie. That’s the great thing about what we offer here – the placements give people an insight into the reality of different jobs.

“I became more open-minded about my future, and know now that I want to go in to some form of counselling and would ideally like to work in youth services. Scotland’s Best has been the first step to achieving that goal.”

According to service manager Hugh Neill, Nadia is already proving a real asset to the team.

He said: “Initially Nadia volunteered with us via the Scotland’s Best programme and as a result we had the opportunity to employ her using the Community Jobs Scotland initiative. This has allowed Nadia to gain valuable work experience and get to know Barnardo’s Scotland.

“Equally as an employer it allowed us to have the opportunity to work with Nadia, get to know her and identify her skills, strengths and learning needs.

“Through this process it has been evident that Nadia has developed life skills, knowledge and a maturity beyond her years.

“This has offered a different dynamic to our team and due to her age this has enabled learning using peer mentoring and training.”

To donate to the Herald/Barnardo's Scotland Christmas Appeal 2015, email heraldchristmas@barnardos.org.uk or visit www.justgiving.com/heraldchristmas/