Just one year ago, 18-year-old Rihanna McMahon from Belfast was too anxious to walk through the door of her first Marks & Start Taster Session. Fast forward to today, she’s an award-winning role model, where at this year’s, King’s Trust Awards, she received the L’Oréal Paris Rising Star Award for her resilience, determination, and success in overcoming adversity to secure meaningful employment. She is also one of just two Marks & Spencer participants to receive national recognition across the UK.
Rihanna’s early life was marked by instability. Growing up in foster care from primary school age, she faced significant challenges and a future that often felt uncertain. But things took a positive turn when her social worker connected her with an employability support worker, who encouraged her to explore the Marks & Start ‘Get into Retail’ programme - a partnership between Marks & Spencer and The King’s Trust designed to help young people facing barriers to employment.
“When I left the house for that first Taster Day, I just wanted to turn back,” Rihanna admits.
“The thought of job interviews, or even just showing up, was overwhelming. But something told me to try - and that decision changed my life.”
During the programme, Rihanna’s confidence began to grow. With support from her programme mentor, Tracy Lowry, and the wider store team, she developed essential retail and workplace skills. By the end of the programme, she had secured a temporary job - which later became a permanent position as a Customer Service Assistant at the M&S Boucher Road store.
“I can honestly say I wouldn’t be in employment today without the Marks & Start programme. It gave me the confidence and belief in myself that I never had before.”
Most recently, Rihanna returned to the very same Marks & Start Taster Session where her journey began - this time not as a participant, but as a guest speaker and a celebrated success story. No longer the nervous teenager unsure of her place, she stood confidently before a room full of hopeful candidates, sharing her journey to inspire others.
“It felt so special to be back where it all started. I just wanted to show other people that they’re not alone - and that no matter what you’ve been through, you can build a future.” Rihanna said.
Reflecting on her journey, Tracy Lowry, Rihanna’s Line Manager from the M&S Boucher Road store, said: “Rihanna is the perfect example of what can happen when you give a young person the opportunity to thrive. Her strength and resilience are inspiring – it has honestly been a joy seeing how far she’s come. Watching her return to the Marks & Start programme one year on to support others, and seeing her confidence in doing so, is exactly what Marks & Start is all about.”
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For further information, please contact:
Sasha Jeffrey or Naomi Finnegan at ASG
Tel: 07801 254703
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Find out more about Marks & Start here.