The Watches of Switzerland Group, a leading luxury watch retailer, has been a longstanding partner of The Prince’s Trust for the past 10 years. 2023 marks the nineteenth year of the awards and on Tuesday it recognised young people who have succeeded against the odds, improved their chances in life and had a positive impact on their local community.
This year the winner of the 2023 ‘Watches of Switzerland Group young Change Maker’ award went to Motaz. Brian Duffy, CEO of the Watches of Switzerland Group was joined on stage by Holly Willoughby and Stanley Tucci to present Motaz with his award.
Motaz has shown incredible resilience in the face of adversity. Since he first arrived in Northern Ireland as an asylum seeker, he’s 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.
Brian Duffy, CEO of the Watches of Switzerland Group, said: “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.”
Motaz shares his insights into how The Prince’s Trust has supported his hope and ambitions since he arrived in Belfast: “I was excited to finally start school again so I could work towards getting my 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.
“I threw myself into Team from the start. 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.”
Recently, Motaz has become a Prince’s Trust Young Ambassador and continues to volunteer alongside working towards the qualifications he needs to get into dental school.
“Right now, I am excited about the future. I hope to get my GCSEs so that I can continue onto A Levels and university. I know it’s going to be hard work but I’m confident I can do it with the right support around me.”
