Two Southsiders have been recognised for their efforts to get back into work, receiving awards from HRH the Countess of Wessex at a London ceremony.

Margaret Park, from Arden, and John Garrott, from Carnwadric, received the awards and £100 of gift vouchers from employment charity Tomorrow’s People, which helps long-term unemployed back into work.

Margaret (43) was chosen from a shortlist of ten people because she has overcome considerable personal trouble to get back into work.

A qualified physiotherapist working in Glasgow hospitals for 18 years, mum Margaret found herself out of work after a car accident in 1999 which left her with severe depression, followed by rheumatoid arthritis in 2001 which made it impossible for her to continue work as a physiotherapist. Her disability also made it increasingly difficult for her to care for her epileptic son.

After four years out of work, Margaret got in touch with Tomorrow’s People through a consultant at the Southern General, where the charity provides a free support service. She is now undertaking a ‘Training for Trainers’ course with the charity and hopes to develop her counselling skills and she is considering applying for an HND course.

Margaret said, ‘I was determined to find employment which was compatible with my disability and where I was able to work with people again. In the space of just one year, Tomorrow’s People has helped put my life back on track and I’m delighted to have won this award.’

Liz Docherty, Tomorrow’s People employment adviser for Glasgow said: ‘Margaret fully deserves to win this award for overcoming difficulties that may have proved insurmountable to many others. Despite being in constant pain, Margaret regularly attends her training and her positive attitude has enabled her to overcome numerous hurdles. She is also very supportive of other people on the course.’

John Garrett (18), who lives in Carnwadric with his grandmother, left school at 16 with no qualifications. Dyslexic, John enrolled on a construction course but lost motivation and turned to lying in bed all day, staying up late at night playing video games and drinking and vandalism in the streets.

John said, ‘I had been in trouble at school and left with no qualifications, partly because of my dyslexia. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. I was just wasting time and nothing really interested me. I had seen Tomorrow’s People advertised and a friend had recommended it so I thought why not? I’ve got nothing else to do. It appealed to me because I needed help finding employment or training and would be working locally with people my own age.’

John completed Tomorrow’s People’s 16-week programme ‘Working it out’, during which he worked in a team to give something back to the community. He helped paint murals in the playground of Willowford Nursery School in South Nitshill and renovated the shower facilities at Darnley Community Centre.

Project leader Maggie Kerr said, ‘John is an excellent example of a young man who just needed a little bit of help to gain the confidence to realise his full potential and he fully deserves this recognition for the way he has changed his life around.’

John now works in retail as part of a modern apprenticeship. He added, ‘If you had told me last year I’d be doing this I wouldn’t have believed you. Tomorrow’s People really helped me get back on track. I’m delighted to have won this achievement award. After everything, I now know what I am doing with my life and I’m going to try and stick to it.’