Care leaver finds dream job after jungle trek

A care leaver is starting a new job after returning from the trip of a lifetime.

After a traumatic childhood, Milly was moved to a children's home in Newcastle during her secondary school years, where she gained confidence to apply for, and win a place, on a 10-week adventure in Borneo.

She said she had learned "not to be afraid to speak" during her trip, which also involved building roads.

Milly has now found employment with a building firm.

During her Raleigh International expedition in Malaysia, she also spent time working in a wildlife sanctuary, as well as trekking in the jungle.

"We were walking like for hours, in the middle of nowhere, with people I'd just met.

"That's when I hit breaking point. I just wanted to go home," she said.

Milly said it had felt rewarding to make it to the end and the confidence-boosting experience would live with her forever.

She said she had learned "how to speak to people, and not to hide myself. And not to be afraid to speak. Now I just don't shut up."

Milly said she had thought the hardest part of the trip would be not having her mobile phone.

"Everyone thinks it's horror that I had no phone. But I actually got to speak to people and really have a conversation," she said.

Milly has now found employment with building firm Robertsons.

She is training in various construction industry roles, on the site of the new Sir Bobby Robson Institute at the Freeman Hospital.

"I very much surprised myself. I didn't think I'd get a job like this when I left the children's home," she said.

Neil Kennedy, the North East managing director of Robertson Construction, said he had been wowed by the 19-year-old and her positive attitude.

"Milly has got something about her. I guess she's got resilience. She is a young female in a male-dominated industry, but Milly handles herself exemplary," he said.

Milly said she now hoped to secure an apprenticeship with the firm and follow her dream of becoming a joiner.

She said she was thankful someone had seen her potential.

"It just feels nice that someone thought, 'I'm going to give her a chance.' I've took it with both hands, and I'm doing the best I can."

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