Confidence in the kitchen
RISING STAR – DAVID BRUCE DAVID Bruce was unemployed and using drugs when his life spiralled out of control and he suffered severe mental health issues.
He’d first tried drugs at 15 – but over a year ago he experimented with harder ones and was admitted to hospital after suffering a psychotic episode.
Since then he’s turned away from drugs and found a passion for cooking when he was offered classes and is focused on becoming a professional chef.
David, 23, from Glasgow, was given the Denholm Rising Star Award.
When he left hospital, he was supported by a mental health nurse, completed a drug intervention programmed and joined a support group.
He became involved with Venture Scotland, who helped him build his confidence, and was introduced to cooking. He then decided he wanted to pursue it as a career and approached The Prince’s Trust for financial help to learn kitchen skills at The Tennent’s Training Academy. After landing a job in a café, he’s now studying professional catering at the City of Glasgow College.
David said: “My mental health can still be brittle, but I have much more confidence and resilience and I know when to tap into support services. I also have ambition for the first time in a long time.
“Doing the course at Tennent’s, getting the job and applying for college did feel daunting but exciting. I love learning and working with food and my future, which once seemed bleak, is now full of possibilities.”
I love learning and working with food