Positive Destinations for leavers 2026
We are celebrating a huge mile stone for Aidan as he official starts his next chapter with Project search. Aidan has been an absolute joy to have a round and brought so much energy and positivity to our team. Whether he was rolling up his sleeves to offer us a helping hand, tackling a tricky situation with his brilliant problem-solving skills, or keeping us entertained with his fantastic stories from his latest adventure, he always made a lasting impression.
Thank you, Aidan, we can’t wait to see what you conquer in this new chapter of your career.
Former young person from Dumfries Better Lives, Tyana has graduated from Project Search. Tyana completed a years training with three 10 week work placements at Happy Hooves, Murray Farm Care and NHS catering. Tyana’s future plan is to attend the Barony College to study animal care which has been a goal for years! They would also like to gain employment while doing the course. Tyana says “This has been an amazing course with amazing people, and I would highly recommend it but I wouldn’t have even applied for this course if it wasn’t for the amazing staff at Better Lives Partnership Dumfries for the unwavering support they gave me in the two years I was there. They increased my confidence so much, and I’ll always be very grateful.”
We will miss William’s energy, their problem- solving and the way they helped develop us as a group with Friday taste testing. The good news? They aren’t going far! we are so thrilled to see them stepping into their next chapter volunteering at Lonsdale Cinema in Annan. We just know that they are brining that same incredible passion, tech-savvy help, and welcoming spirit to the cinema team. The cinema is lucky to have you and we can’t wait to see what you do next. Drop by and see us soon!
Faith has a place on the D&G College Project Search programme and we are pleased that as she will still be based on the Stranraer campus we will be able to see her from time to time and keep in touch with her progress. During her time at BLP, Faith has completed a project at the Horses 4 Help centre near Wigtown, has achieved an ASDAN certificate in Animal Care. She has also entertained us with her superb karaoke singing!
Ross is away to Ayr College from BLP in Stranraer to study film-making. As a keen photographer and drone videographer, Ross has contributed so much to BLP during his time with us. As our resident photographer he has helped record events and activities for our social media and has also donated some stunning landscape images to brighten up our workrooms. As part of the Solway Coast and Marine Project he participated in an ambitious project that aimed to document the coastline through the use of photography and videography.
He has always been keen to share his skills with others and particularly on our trips away from Stranraer he has worked with other young people to develop their understanding of camera and drone technology. Ross has also achieved a great deal in terms of his ASDAN coursework, gaining certificates in Employability, Independent Living and Photography/Multimedia.
We are really pleased that Iona has been accepted onto the Childcare course at D&G College, Stranraer Campus. Building on her work experience at Park Nursery and following her passion for caring for young children, she will no doubt make a huge success of her new course. Iona is multi-talented and during her time at BLP in Stranraer she has worked on creative projects with professional artist Morag McPherson and has had her work displayed in Stranraer’s creative hub. Iona also helped curate an art exhibition at the Quarryman Arts Centre in Creetown. Iona has achieved an Expressive Arts award and an Employability award and these will no doubt enhance her future career pathway.
And last but by no means least, our human encyclopaedia Jason has completed his transition over to Pink Frog in Stranraer. At BLP he has achieved a Skills Development Certificate in Lifting and Handling from Borders College and several ASDAN certificates, too. He has been interested in warehouse work for a long time so Pink Frog is an ideal progression route for him. We’ll miss Jason’s enquiring mind and curiosity which has kept us all on our toes!
