8 www.inverness-courier.co.ukFriday, august 26, 2011

SIXTEENYEAROLD CaitlinStroud did not like school —she admits she “hated it” — soshe did not go.

“I just couldn’t be bothered,”she said.

A year on, Caitlin, of Wood-lands Grove, Westhill, is aboutto start a course in art and de-sign at Inverness College and isrevelling in her success afterbeing named the Face of Bella— a prize which includes a pro-fessional modelling contractwith UK agency Colours andher runway debut at the Scot-tish Style Awards.

It is a transformation sheowes to the Inverness-basedmentoring charity, Day 1.

The former Culloden Acad-emy pupil was introduced tothe charity when co-ordinatorCorrin Henderson visited herschool.

“It probably got me back ontrack,” she said. “It got me moremotivated and has helped melots, getting into college andstuff.”

Last September, Caitlin waspaired with mentor Cheryl Mc-Donald, a personal assistant

with Lifescan Scotland whocame across the charity whilelooking for volunteer opportu-nities.

“We meet as often as we can,it is supposed to be once aweek, and just spend time to-gether,” explained the 26-year-old, of Moray Park Place,Culloden.

“It is about being there forCaitlin if she needs anything,just being a friend, and aboutgetting her to follow her own

dreams and supporting her onher big decisions.”

The relationship has been animportant one for Caitlin, whoadmits without it she wouldprobably still be at school, notturning up.

Importantly, Miss McDon-ald encouraged her to create aportfolio of work to get into col-lege, as she had no art qualifi-cations, and is helping her findpart-time employment.

“She has worked hard to getinto college and has showeddetermination and has certain-ly matured in the year we havebeen together,” said Miss Mc-Donald.

The teenager’s confidencehas also grown and this monthCaitlin was named the Face ofBella at the Belladrum TartanHeart Festival, near Beauly —the competition was sponsoredby The Inverness Courier.

She attended auditions atthe Eastgate Shopping Centrewith Miss McDonald.

“I felt like a proud mother,she didn’t even have make-upon, apart from some lipstick,and still looked beautiful,” con-tinued Miss McDonald.

Caitlin was named the Faceof Bella at the festival, although

she admits she was not quiteprepared, not knowing she hadto wear her own clothes for thefinal, where she had to walkdown the catwalk and answersome questions.

“I just had my yellow shortswith me, my high socks andwellies,” she said. “I had to bor-row a friend’s top. I was justshocked when I won. I couldn’tspeak. You don’t really seemodels with short purple hair— it was such a huge shock.

“Day 1 has definitely mademe more confident.”

Although she does not knowthe details of what modellingwork lies ahead, she cannotwait.

“I have always wanted to bea model,” added Caitlin, whohas already done some model-

ling for clothing stores Quizand Internacionale.

Mr Henderson said the teen-ager was typical of others whoprogress with the charity.

“It has been an upwardcurve, with little footfalls alongthe way,” he said.

“The difference betweenCaitlin now compared to a yearago is significant. Her confi-dence has increased, she isnow starting a college courseand is really positive about herfuture. The Belladrum thing isjust a bonus — maybe shewouldn’t have had the confi-dence to go in for that before.”

Day 1 works closely with sixlocal secondary schools in-cluding Charleston Academyand Inverness High School.

“We work with young people

who have got potential but, forwhatever reason, are failing toachieve that potential,” ex-plained Mr Henderson. “It is aone-year mentoring pro-gramme and the hope is theybuild up a trusting, non-judge-mental relationship with theirmentor.”

The aim is to help youngpeople find sustainable em-ployment, boost their self-con-fidence and self-esteem, aswell as providing volunteeringopportunities.

It works with around 30youngsters in the Highlandarea, but Mr Henderson wouldlike to see it expand if morefunding can be found.n For further information, orto find out about mentoring,visit www.day1.uk.com

Facing thefuture withconfidence

Modelling win just a bonus for teen who turned her life around with mentor’s help

Face of Bella winner Caitlin Stroud with her mentor, Cheryl McDonald. Pictures Gary Anthony

Corrin Henderson of Day 1 —helping young people findconfidence and self-esteem.

By Helen Airdh.aird@inverness-courier.co.uk

“The differencebetween Caitlinnow compared to ayear ago issignificant. Herconfidence hasincreased, she isnow starting acollege course andis really positiveabout her future.”

Day 1 co-ordinatorCorrin Henderson

Celebratingthe appleAPPLE tree and orchardowners are being asked tosupport a new event in theHighlands.

Apple Day was first heldin1990 but will be celebratedin Inverness for the first timeon Saturday, 22nd October, atthe Floral Hall. The day willrun from 1pm to 4pm.

Jonathan Willet, HighlandCouncil’s biodiversity officer,said there will be an appleexpert on hand to identifyvarieties, apple recipes tobrowse and apple trees forsale plus apple-themedactivities for all the family.

“We are keen to create anapple map to locate where oldorchards used to be and if thetrees are still there,” he added.

Send details to jonathan.willet@highland.gov.uk or01463 702274.

Black Isle all setfor its BIG dayTHE fourth biennial Black IsleGathering takes place onSaturday, 24th September,between 11am and 4pm.

For the first time it will fillthe ground floor of FortroseAcademy, with stallsstretching from the old frontdoor through the school andinto the community theatreand library areas.

The free community fairbrings clubs, societies, smallbusinesses, churches andcommunity groups together.

This year it will focus on theneeds of older Black Isleresidents and those caring forthem.

Entertainment includesAvoch Sea Scouts, NickMartin’s collection of rescuedreptiles, plus music, dance,crafts and sports activities.

News in Brief

03000 999 999scottishspca.org/rehoming

RESCuE PETS MAkE THE bEST PETS!

REHOME FROM THE SCOTTISH SPCA

03000 999 999scottishspca.org/rehoming

sterlingfurniture.co.uk

FINISHTHE LOOK

ONLINEsterlingfurniture.co.uksterlingfurniture.co.uk

The SterlingSummer sale.

tulip3 SEATER SOFA

Was £999Now only

£799

UP TO 3 YEARS’ INTEREST FREE CREDIT

Everything to furnish and finish your home.

Cash Price £799, deposit of £199 interest rate 0% fixed,pay £25 per month for 24 months, 0% APR representative,total amount payable £799.REPRESENTATIVE 0% APR:

Ma KindaCountry

Complete the Look...

10

1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,consectetur adipiscing elit. £XXX

2. Nam aliquet, nibh id pretiumhendrerit, mi justo consequat nulla,£XXX

3. scelerisque blandit justo diam et£XXX

4. Suspendisse placerat eros quisenim £XXX

5. Class aptent taciti sociosquad £XXX

6. Class aptent taciti sociosquad £XXX

7. Nam aliquet, nibh id pretiumhendrerit, mi justo consequat nulla,£XXX

8. Suspendisse placerat eros quisenim £XXX

9. Class aptent taciti sociosquad £XXX

10. Class aptent taciti sociosquad £XXX

11. Class aptent taciti sociosquad £XXX

12. Class aptent taciti sociosquad £XXX

13. Class aptent taciti sociosquad £XXX

14. Class aptent taciti sociosquad £XXX

15. Class aptent taciti sociosquad £XXX

All available from sterlingfurniture.co.uk

2

1

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

Ma Kinda CountryMa Kinda CountryMa Kinda

1

3

4

2011

ONLINELOOKBOOKSee

our 6 new

must-have

looks in our

artisanEXTENDING DINING

TABLE PLUS 6 CHAIRS

Was £2399Now only

£899

With everything from beds and sofas to tables and chairs reduced by up to 50%, the Sterling Summer Sale haseverything to furnish and finish your home, for less.

le mansKING SIZE BEDFRAME

Was £599Now only

£449metro

EXTENDING DINING TABLEPLUS 6 CHAIRS

Was £1399Now only

£599 milford3 SEATER SOFA

Was £1139Now only

£999

LIGHTING PICTURES&MIRRORS RUGS&CURTAINS LINENS,CUSHIONS,THROWS DINING&COOKWARE OUTDOORLIVING

INVERNESS: CARSEGATE ROAD, TELFORD RETAIL PARK01463 711 808 SAT NAV: IV3 8EX

More info: 30 days notice required to terminate one month rolling contract · SIM for use in a 3G handset only · Our inclusive minutes/textsare for most UK mobiles and UK landlines · 08/070 numbers cost up to 20p per call plus 20p per minute/£1.02 per call plus 71.5p perminute respectively – check price at Three.co.uk/nts · See Three.co.uk for all the details

Get all you can eat data.One month at a time.

Get the best out of your smartphone withall-you-can-eat data on The One Plan SIM Only.

Only Three gives you all-you-can-eat data onboth Contract and Pay As You Go, meaning trulyunlimited internet without fair use caps. Plus, youget thousands of minutes and texts.

And now you can get it with the freedom of aone month rolling contract, all for just £25 a month.Giving you great value and flexibility, one monthat a time.

Sorry we do not accept Visa Electron or Solo cards. Cards accepted:

Move to The One Plan today.Pop into a 3Store, call

0800 358 9760Or see Three.co.uk/one

All youcan eat

data

SIM Only £25 a month.One month rolling contract.