Life Routes Award for Outstanding Achievement

19 June 2008

On the 26th February 2008 Ben Mitchell received the Life Routes Award for Outstanding Achievement. The award was presented by the Prime Minister’s wife, Sarah Brown at a reception at No 10 Downing Street.

Ben’s story:

‘Being part of Life Routes has been a life changing experience. I have learned so many things whilst doing so. It has made me believe in myself a lot more and has boosted my confidence to work with other people and make good choices.

I have met a lot of different people from different cultures and backgrounds whist doing things I wouldn’t normally have done and been to places I wouldn’t normally have gone to.

People need life skills to get along with people better and to have a better chance at getting a job or going to college or university and achieving what you want to in life. Life skills are great for when you get an obstacle in your way, nine times out of ten with skills like problem solving, decision-making and good communication skills you overcome that obstacle. 

I have also had the opportunity to lead projects in my community such as a world record attempt on the longest peace flag which we ran with all the local schools and services and also peer mentoring a group of sensory impaired young people taking them horse riding and kayaking. 

I am definitely more independent, confident and able to think about what I want to do in life and not afraid to try it.’