Inspirational teenager is Neighbourhood Champion

Date published: 29 August 2010

A teenager from Ashton-under-Lyne who triumphed over personal difficulties and became an inspirational tenant whilst living in supported housing has been given a Neighbourhood Champion award by housing association Guinness Northern Counties.

John Lomas-Wilson came to live at Enville Place, a supported housing hostel on Richmond Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, when he was just seventeen. Despite many obstacles he managed to keep himself focussed on his studies and his ultimate goal of living independently.

He has now moved on from the hostel to a place of his own, is studying ‘A’ level Law, Politics and Business Studies at Glossop College and intends to study Law at university in a year’s time.

David McCallion, Peer Support Worker at the hostel, said: “I nominated John for this award because I think he is a role model for young people. He managed to turn his life around through his own efforts when things were really difficult for him. It’s rare that a young man is capable of ignoring what is going on around him and forging forward with his own vision of the future.”

He added: “It’s fantastic for John that his efforts and achievements have been acknowledged. I think the sky’s the limit for him now.”

John said: “Moving into the hostel was one of the best things I’ve ever done. The workers there were really nice. They helped me to start out on my own. Once I had somewhere good to live it meant I could focus on my studies.”

He continued: “I’ve always wanted to go to university so I could get a better life. It’s going to be difficult but you’ve just got to motivate yourself to put the work in. When I heard I had won the award, I was really happy I’d actually been recognised for doing something good!”

Enville Place is owned and managed by Guinness Northern Counties with personal support to tenants provided by Riverside ECHG.