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A teenager has been inspired to help people as an Army medical technician thanks to the first aid skills she gained with the Rangers Charity Foundation.

Abbey Prior, 18, found herself in regular “trouble” with the law and reported for antisocial behaviour.

The candidate from Partick, Glasgow, was referred by Police Scotland to join the Foundation’s CashBack for Communities – Towards New Futures programme.

And thanks to the CashBack course content, which included opportunities to gain first aid qualifications, Abbey is now pursuing a career in the The Royal Army Medical Corps.

She said: “When I did the first aid with the CashBack course, I didn’t know what to do (with my life) but that made me realise that I wanted to do something along those lines and that’s why I have signed up to the Army as a medic.

“The skills I have gained are first aid and skills to help with mental health. I’ve also developed communication skills and I’m now better at talking to people and timekeeping.

“I’ve decided to be a medic because, when I did the first aid, I realised I liked helping people.”

Rangers is the first Football Club / Foundation in the UK to have an in-house Youth Hub which means there is the added benefit of a full-time work coach available to assist employability course participants.

The course helped improve their physical and mental health by taking part in accredited fitness and coaching sessions and a mental health first aid course.

The initiative includes a variety of formal and industry recognised awards, vocational work experience and the development of core skills which will greatly enhance their employment prospects and CVs.

Abbey has benefitted from utilising the Foundation’s SQA Centre status to gain qualifications and skills that employers can recognise.

She continued: “I would recommend it because (before I joined the programme) I didn’t know how to look for a job or how to apply but this course has helped me with my CV and how to apply. “(Without the CashBack course) I’d probably still be getting into trouble or doing nothing. The impact it has had has probably kept me out of trouble and made me realise what job I want to do.”

During the CashBack programme, Abbey attended Open University courses including; English, Exercise and Sport and Inclusion. She further gained a number of formal qualifications, including:

• First Aid At Work Award  (SCQF Level 6)

• First Aid For Mental Health Award  (SCQF Level 5)

• SQA Steps To Work Award  (SCQF Level 4)

Abbey also went on to captain a football team consisting of CashBack course candidates who were invited to take part in a football match against Police Scotland, a key partner of the Foundation in supporting young people looking for employment. After winning the match and lifting the trophy for her team, Abbey received a course completion certificate.

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