You may never walk again

Wayne Virgo

I grew up in a one parent family with four brothers and I had great admiration for my mother and saw her as my role model. She was a fighter, loving, understanding and approachable. I never did too well at school, started to drink, smoke and dabble in soft drugs.

At the age of 18 I was sent to prison for 18 months. I had a lot of time to reflect on my life and thought about how I could help young people from making the same mistakes that I had made in my life. I felt I had something to offer from my experiences. I didn't regret my time in prison as I felt it changed me for the better. I now had a 'mission' to help young people make informed choices in their lives.

I was stabbed in my back, which left me incompletely paralysed. I had questions about what I would do now with my life and what kind of job could I do now? I was happy being a stay-at-home father but felt something was 'missing' in my life. I approached the youth club that I attended as a young person and asked if I could volunteer. I had good memories of Westminster House and wanted to give something back.

My eldest brother was murdered and he was a great loss to me.

Kate, my line manager, showed belief in me; she admired my honesty and felt I had a lot to offer young people with my life experiences. She encouraged me to start a Rank Skills Apprentice Scheme. I met Charlie Harris and told him my story. I noticed he understood my passion and he never judged me. Charlie and the Rank Foundation showed belief in me and gave me the opportunity of taking a path that I had thought about six years previously in a prison cell.

I passed the Foundation Studies course in record time. It gave me a better understanding of the work and the role I play in young peoples lives. I would urge anyone starting any Rank scheme to do the Foundation Studies course with the YMCA George Williams College. I have just finished my first year on the Dip HE in Informal Education I am looking forward to beginning my second year and my main aim is to go onto the third year to gain BA Hons.

In future I plan to work with disabled young people and youth offenders.

Becoming part of the Rank family has led to me to many friendships and working relationships. I have a direction and purpose in my life. Over the years Rank must have helped thousands of individuals and organisations but it is not until your life is touched by the work that you realise just how far reaching the effect of a "pebble in the pond" really is.