A North East woman who left school at 13 has landed a role inspiring future generations after impressing on a fire service training scheme.

Meg Baines, 22, from Ryhope, Sunderland, has thanked Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) after securing a dream role as an assistabt team leader.

Ms Baines, who left school at 13, had originally enrolled on a Prince’s Trust personal development course with TWFRS before landing the position.

Her time with TWFRS left staff in awe after she excelleed on the 12-week course, and she was later invited to return in September before getting the role.

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Speaking on her new role, she said: "At first it was scary, it’s a big group and there are lots of people but it just offered me the chance to see what was really out there for someone like me.

“I always loved helping people and it was great to see the support the team leaders gave each participant on the course to make sure they got something positive out of the experience.

“I was so glad to come back and volunteer, because I love to see how confident people become on the course it’s so rewarding.

“I spent a lot of time working with people who needed extra support on this course, figuring out what learning styles worked for them and how they could get the most out course.

“I’m so grateful for all the support I received and now I’ve got the opportunity to share that with the next group of learners.”

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While volunteering on the course, Ms Baines spent 12 weeks helping others improve their English and maths skills.

The staff at TWFRS were not only left impressed by how she had conducted herself on the job, but also by how she carried herself during the interview process.

John Anderson, divisionary activities manager at TWFRS, said Meg's story is an inspiration to other young people who are also facing a crossroads in their life.

He said “Meg has already proven that she is an inspiring individual when it comes to helping people as part of our Prince’s Trust course.

“We can’t wait to have her as a permanent member of the team helping the next generation of participants to thrive on the course.

“Each Team course is different because of the people that attend it and we aim to make everyone who takes part really push themselves like never before.

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“This is your opportunity to really step back and look at your life and see what’s working and what’s not and start making a change.”

The Prince’s Trust Team programme is a 12-week programme ran by TWFRS in Community Fire Stations across the region, where participants undergo teambuilding exercises, and other forms of training.

On the course, young people learn about first aid, drug and alcohol awareness, and take part in a variety of fire safety training activities alongside current firefighters.