A Ruislip woman has won an award recognising young people who overcome serious challenges

Nicola Staff, 26, has won the award at The Prince’s Trust and TK Maxx Celebrate Success Awards.

Nicola won the HomeSense Young Achiever Award at a red carpet ceremony March 15.

HRH The Prince of Wales, founder and President of The Prince’s Trust, attended the event.

Nicola said: “I feel so proud and inspired to be here today – it has been an amazing experience and I am really looking forward to the future.”

The Prince’s Trust & TK Maxx Celebrate Success Awards recognise disadvantaged young people who have overcome issues such as abuse, drug addiction, homelessness, depression and unemployment.

Nicola, was bullied at school and had a difficult upbringing with her parents at home.

She later suffered a breakdown and because she was so unhappy she quit her Hospitality Management course, left home and ended up living in a tent for three months.

‎Three years later at the age of 21 Nicola was diagnosed with lymphoma.

She recovered, but suffered another breakdown. 

Her father tried to engage her with different organisations that could help, but nothing worked.

He then found a Prince's Trust programme that builds the confidence and motivation of disadvantaged young people.

Nicola's confidence flourished during the programme and led her to join Get into Hospitality, a Prince's Trust programme that is delivered in partnership with Marriott Hotels, and gives unemployed young people the skills they need to gain work in the industry.

Nicola eventually began working at the five-star Grosvenor House JW Marriott Hotel in Mayfair, London.

She gained experience in a number of different departments and asked to extend her placement when the programme ended. 

Nicola now works full-time in the Pastry Kitchen at Grosvenor House and meets regularly with her Prince's Trust ‎Progression Mentor to continue to build her resilience.  

She has ambitions of travelling to France to train as a pastry chef and plans to continue her career in the hospitality sector.

TJX Europe president Louise Greenleessaid: “On behalf of everyone at Homesense and TK Maxx, I would like to warmly congratulate Nicola on winning the Young Achiever of the Year award. 

“Nicola’s amazing achievement just goes to show that with determination and the right support, it is possible to succeed against all odds.

“I have no doubt Nicola will go far in the future.”

TK Maxx has been a partner of The Prince’s Trust since 2013 and has become one of the Trust’s largest delivery partners of the Get into Retail programme. 

Youth charity The Prince's Trust gives disadvantaged young people the skills and confidence to find a job.