No, not the new line up for ITV’s This Morning, but Holly Willoughby and Watches of Switzerland CEO, Brian Duffy, did make a presenting appearance together with actor Stanley Tucci at an ceremony for the 2023 Watches of Switzerland Group Young Change Maker Award.
The award is part of the group’s commitment to support young people through its partnership with The Prince’s Trust.
The prize was awarded to Motaz, who has shown incredible resilience in the face of adversity since he first arrived in Northern Ireland as an asylum seeker.
He has embraced opportunities to learn through The Prince’s Trust and is now well on his way to realising his goal of becoming a dental practitioner.
Determined to give back to his community, Motaz also gives his time to help other asylum seekers, even recruiting some of them onto Prince’s Trust programmes.
“We are proud to support The Prince’s Trust. To witness first-hand the positive impact this charitable organisation has on youngsters’ lives is admirable and an honour for us to partner with. We would like to take this opportunity to wish Motaz the very best for the future and hope this platform will serve to provide every opportunity to enhance his future endeavours,” says Brian Duffy, CEO of The Watches of Switzerland Group.
Motaz recalls how he was excited to finally start school again in Northern Ireland so he could work towards getting his GCSEs and start on my journey towards becoming a dentist. “I was disappointed to realise that there were no available school places in my age group. However, I then came across The Prince’s Trust Team programme, delivered by Belfast Met College. I hoped the programme would give me the chance to build my self-confidence, get to know the local area and meet new people,” he adds.
“I threw myself into Team from the start,” he continues. “I loved the opportunity to make friends, practice my English and learn whatever new skills I could. I was the youngest person on the programme but tried to take advantage of opportunities to build on my leadership skills, especially when it came to our community project. I now also volunteer for two days a week at the Student Union at Belfast Met – I do anything that’s needed! We have a clothes swap initiative I assist with, and I also help organise the distribution of leftover food from the catering college to students. It feels wonderful to be part of a community.”
Since finishing Team, Motaz has been doing essential work reaching out to asylum seeker and refugee communities who could benefit from the help that The Prince’s Trust offers in Belfast.
“So many people and organisations helped my family and me when we first arrived in Northern Ireland. Now it’s my turn to give back. I hope I can continue to recruit more people onto the Team programme and open their eyes to the opportunities offered by The Prince’s Trust,” he promises.
