From life of crime to role model and inspiration...
After serving eight months in a young offenders' institute for a street robbery when she was aged just 14, Siobhan Peters thought she faced a downwards spiral into crime and destitution.
By 16, she had been permanently excluded from school, was fast becoming a drug addict and alcoholic, and her father committed suicide.
But today, Siobhan, aged 20, is one of five young people to be celebrating after dramatically turning her life around to become a role model and inspiration to others.
The development worker from Kings Heath, Northampton, has been shortlisted for a Pride of Britain award for her life-changing work with The Prince's Trust.
Siobhan, who now works with young people in difficult circumstances after undertaking a 12-week personal development programme, said: "I never thought in years that I'd be nominated for something like this. I thought I'd be stuck in a dead end job that I didn't enjoy, or still be on the streets.
"I'm proud that I've been recognised for achieving things and noticed for changing my ways. I'm just proud that people can see that in me. I like to be a role model to people and show that, even if you've had this bad background, you can be successful. I'd say to people there is help out there if you are willing to accept it. If you don't take it, you'll be stuck."
The finalist for the Young Achiever category said her family in Northampton, including three brothers and two sisters, were proud of her.
She said: "The 12-week development programme has motivated me to move on and it has built my confidence. The support from my colleagues and team leaders has just been phenomenal.
"Now I want to help other young people so I'm aiming to stay at the Prince's Trust and maybe do a team leader course, or work with young offenders. I'm quite an open person, so I empathise with them and it makes me feel of use.
"I've met the other four people who have been nominated and they are all very different stories and we all should be proud to be down to the final."
The winners of the awards for unsung heroes will be invited to a ceremony to be shown on ITV1 on Wednesday, October 1, which attracts some of the biggest names in showbusiness.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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