A Ruislip woman has been nominated for an award aimed at recognising the achievements of young people who have overcome disadvantages.

Nicola, 26, from Ruislip, has been nominated for an award at The Prince’s Trust and TK Maxx Celebrate Success Awards.

Nicola won the London and South East HomeSense Young Achiever Award a few months ago and has since been nominated to go through to the national final which will be held at the Palladium in London on March 15.

The red carpet ceremony will be hosted by Ant & Dec.

The Prince’s Trust & TK Maxx Celebrate Success Awards, now in their thirteenth year, recognise disadvantaged young people who have overcome issues such as abuse, drug addiction, homelessness, depression and unemployment.

A series of regional events took place in November 2016 and will culminate in the national final at the Palladium. 

Nicola’s achievements means she is now just one of four people across the UK to be nominated for the HomeSense Young Achiever Award, which recognises young people who have struggled through unimaginable difficulties to transform their lives and are now inspiring others to strive for such success.

Nicola, 26, was bullied at school and had a difficult upbringing with her parents at home.

Later, suffering from a breakdown a breakdown, and because she was so unhappy, she quit her Hospitality Management course, left home and ended up living in a tent for three months.

‎Three years later, at the age of 21, Nicola was diagnosed with lymphoma. She recovered, but suffered another breakdown. 

She said: "That’s when I was diagnosed with OCD, social phobia, low self-esteem and confidence issues. I needed medication and intense psychotherapy."

Her father eventually turned to a Prince's Trust programme that builds the confidence and motivation of disadvantaged young people.

Nicola gave the programme her best shot and, despite initial nerves, began her first day at the five-star Grosvenor House JW Marriott Hotel in Mayfair, London.

She gained experience in a number of different departments and asked to extend her placement when the programme ended. 

Nicola now works full-time in the Pastry Kitchen at Grosvenor House and meets regularly with her Prince's Trust ‎Progression Mentor to continue to build her resilience.

She has ambitions of travelling to France to train as a pastry chef and plans to continue her career in the hospitality sector.

She said: "Before The Prince's Trust, I couldn't think about the next day, but everyone at The Trust and Marriott Hotels were so supportive, and now I am planning my future."

Youth charity The Prince's Trust gives disadvantaged young people the skills and confidence to find a job.  Three in four young people helped by The Prince’s Trust move into work, training or education.