Aylesbury apprentice recognised for 'Outstanding Achievement in Education' at Fostering Awards
After struggling with education Alicia Stocke has worked hard to succeed in her apprenticeship.
An Aylesbury apprentice has been recognised for her hard work in education recently.
Alicia Stocke, an Aylesbury apprentice, has won an 'Outstanding Achievement in Education Award' at The Fostering Network's annual Fostering Excellence Awards.
Alicia entered the foster system after some difficult times when she was younger and admits that she struggling in education:
"I started, when I was going through stuff when I was younger, playing up at school and had a few problems. I actually got kicked out and didn't really care for the education system.
"When I got a bit older I realised I really wanted to try, so I passed my GCSE's. But I tried college and didn't really like it. I tried a traineeship and I stuck that out even though I didn't like it.
"I'm now going into a new role in December after finishing my level 3 apprenticeship"
Alicia worked for two years to get her level 3, while also working 50 hours a week, playing for a football club and taking her self-funded driving lessons.
This hard work and determination despite struggling with education previously it what earned her the award.
Which, Alicia thinks is important for younger people in the foster system to see:
"You don't see what you can achieve, before I worked hard in education I did not care at all. I think seeing other people do it is why I did so well, by having others encourage me.
"Seeing another person who has been through the foster system achieve so much is encouraging, and it makes you realise you don't have things quite so figured out and you can do what you want.
"You don't have the right to think because they're in foster care they can't get to a certain place in their life.
"Some people can be famous, some people can do well in work others can do really well in their hobby."
Alicia has also recently addressed an audience of safeguarding leaders from across the county, as a keynote speaker about her experiences as a looked after child at a virtual schools event.
Kevin Williams, chief executive of The Fostering Network, said:
"I'd like to congratulate Alicia on winning her award.
"It is fantastic to see so many phenomenal people achieving so much, and it is a privilege to be able to celebrate and raise awareness of those achievements with our annual awards.
"All our winners, and the wider fostering community, should be incredibly proud of their contributions to making foster care in the UK the very best it can be every single day."