Award winner Vicky has an important ambition in life, she said: “I want to be the person that I would have needed when I was struggling most.”

Having faced her own mental health challenges, she feels she has developed a real empathy for others, and now she wants to put that to good use.

The 20-year-old from Stockton is already inspiring others, as she has been announced winner of the Tesco Education Award at The King's Trust and TK Maxx and Homesense England Country Finals – national recognition for her, as a young person overcoming immense challenges to achieve.

That sense of purpose has led Vicky to study the Foundation Degree in Counselling at Stockton Riverside College, in partnership with Teesside University, something she said, at the toughest times, she and her family would have never thought possible.

“I struggled a lot with my confidence and self-esteem,” she said. “I didn’t believe I could amount to anything because of my illness, I thought it would always be a barrier.”

Growing up Vicky has battled with impulsive behaviour and regulating her emotions. Constantly in and out of hospital, at 17 she was eventually diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.

She explained: “Getting that diagnosis has been positive as it helped me to understand myself better, but I also saw it as a barrier at the same time.”

Starting college was an opportunity for Vicky to return to education and get some normality back in her life.

Directed by her tutors to the King’s Trust Achieve programme, the year-long course supports young people to develop the skills and confidence needed to progress into positive futures, with a focus on the likes of enterprise, digital, communication and employability skills.

“I was quite hesitant at first,” said Vicky. “I didn’t know what to expect but I thought I would give it a go and as it turned out it was perfect for me.”

Studying in a supportive environment she said: “I gained a lot of confidence in myself because the staff believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. They didn’t give up on me and that empowered me to recognise the things that I struggled with and then find ways to break down those barriers.”

For the then 17-year-old, gaining a better understanding of herself and her own learning style made education less daunting.

She explained: “School was difficult for me as I was quite impulsive and struggled with my mental health.  I had the impression that at college you would have to be completely independent, but that wasn’t the case.  The tutors are so supportive, they empower you to be the best you can be.”

With a drive to help others, Vicky has since gone on to study counselling at level two and three at the college and is now working towards her foundation degree.

She said: “I want to be able to offer a safe space for people, to be someone that they feel safe around.”

As for herself, she explained: “My family and friends are all proud. I don’t think anyone could have imagined me going back into education, but here I am.”

Seeing the King’s Trust Awards on the TV as a teenager, she said: “It was so inspiring to hear their stories, I did think at the time I wish that could be me.”

She described being nominated for an award as something special. “It felt like my journey had been recognised.  I have been through a lot, and I have overcome it.”

To go on and win and be presented with her award at a King’s Trust ceremony in Manchester, she added: “It was surreal.  I feel so appreciative.

“This is something I can look back at and think I achieved that; I can’t give up now because there’s so much more to achieve!”

To find out more about The King’s Trust courses available at Stockton Riverside College visit: www.stockton.ac.uk/kings-trust