Former Government minister and Derby North MP Amanda Solloway has shared the deeply personal story of her troubled childhood with dozens of Derbyshire schoolchildren, urging them never to let their circumstances define their future.
Delivering the keynote speech at The Two Counties Trust Student Conference, at the University of Derby, Amanda addressed more than 120 pupil representatives from the Trust’s 10 secondary schools.
Invited to inspire the aspiring young leaders, she encouraged pupils to think positively about their futures and recognise that resilience, determination and self-belief can help them overcome even the most difficult challenges.
Amanda spoke candidly about growing up with a mother battling addiction and mental illness, being forced to leave home as a teenager and relying on the kindness of friends before going on to build a successful career.
She also described the disappointment of initially failing the Parliamentary Assessment Board before using the feedback to succeed at a second attempt and eventually winning the Derby North seat.
Amanda said the most important message she wanted pupils to remember was simple: “Don’t lose to yourself.”
She said: “It was a privilege to be invited to deliver the keynote speech to so many inspiring young people. I wanted them to leave knowing that where you start in life does not determine where you can end up.
“Your circumstances do not have to define your future. We all face challenges, but it’s vital not to let self-doubt be the thing that stops you achieving your goals. If someone else beats you, that’s one thing. But don’t be beaten by yourself.”
A school governor at Wilsthorpe School in Long Eaton for 20 years, Amanda told the group: “When I was very little my mum became addicted to prescription drugs, she started to drink more heavily and then the more she drank, the more she’d want prescription drugs and the worse our life got.
“I didn’t know how poorly my mum was. I remember walking out of the house to take one of my A levels and she just came running out after me, no shoes, just screaming at me, saying she hoped that I failed.
“Now to have that happen to you as a teenager, being told by the mother that you love, that she hopes you fail, was devastating.”
The conference forms part of The Two Counties Trust’s wider commitment to developing confident, aspirational young leaders by giving pupils opportunities to build leadership skills, broaden their horizons and prepare for life beyond school.
It brought together pupils who are members of their school councils, and wa designed to develop student leadership, build confidence and give young people a voice in shaping their school communities.
Among the schools represented at the conference were Allestree Woodlands School, Frederick Gent School, in South Normanton and Friesland School, in Sandiacre.
Carl Storey, assistant head of personal development across The Two Counties Trust said: “Amanda’s honesty had a huge impact on our students. By sharing the challenges she faced and the resilience that helped her overcome them, she showed that success isn’t determined by where you start in life but by the choices you make along the way.
“The conference was designed to inspire our young people to think positively about their futures, develop confidence and understand that every one of them has the potential to achieve great things.
“We were delighted Amanda could join us for this event. She is a woman of agency who has never allowed her circumstances to define her. Instead, she has built a successful career through determination, resilience and a belief in what is possible.
“Amanda’s message that we should never let self-doubt hold us back perfectly reflected the values we want every one of our students to embrace.”
