TT PROFILE: Bright future in business for Alessia Leveridge
By LUCY MURTAGH
Alessia Leveridge, pictured, is planning to start her own business in events management
ALESSIA Leveridge is a confident, hardworking and highly motivated young Traveller woman. With a conditional offer from Leeds Metropolitan University secured for September 2014, Alessia plans to study Events Management and hopes to run her own business one day.
Especially keen on wedding planning, Alessia is open-minded to the endless varieties of event management to ensure she selects the correct career path for herself.
On a four year course- including a ‘sandwich’ year in which Alessia will be able to gain vital work experience within a placement- Alessia could have the chance to work abroad with top businesses, in luxurious locations such as Barbados. Her mum, Danielle, is very keen on this idea – probably because of the ideal holiday potential!
Alessia is currently studying a full time Enterprise and Entrepreneurship course at Norwich City College, studying modules developed and endorsed by well-known ‘Dragon’s Den’ entrepreneur, Peter Jones CBE. Alessia says that the chance to study with relation to an immensely successful professional gave her even more inspiration and motivation to follow her dream.
'Always loved school and college'
Alessia told TT that she has always loved school and college and described it as a positive experience. Her teachers have supported her throughout school and college, helping her to make the right decisions and pushing her to excel.
At the start of high school, teachers saw that Alessia was in fact dyslexic. From here they ensured she got the support and help she needed, with extra lessons to help her literacy skills. After five years, Alessia finished high school with two B grades in GCSE English accompanied by other fantastic GCSE results.
At school, Alessia participated in several competitions and extra-curricular activities such as a Young Enterprise programme. She feels these opportunities provided by school enhanced her education, sparked her interest in business and have contributed towards her success.
From an early age, Alessia also received guidance from the Traveller Education Service in the form of a support worker who would make home visits to help her with Maths, English and other school work. The Traveller Education Service were also present at many of the fairs Alessia and her family would attend, running competitions and activities for the children of Gypsy, Roma Traveller communities across the UK, to excite and engage them in learning and education. Alessia says the Traveller Education Service is still active within her local community making regular visits to support Traveller families and children throughout their school years.
‘My mum wants me to go because she wants me to get the best out of my life, but I think she’s a bit nervous and I know she’ll miss me!’ says Alessia
Alessia reckons her success and ambition mainly derives from her highly supportive parents who have always encouraged her to follow her own dream and backed her every step of the way. ‘My mum wants me to go because she wants me to get the best out of my life, but I think she’s a bit nervous and I know she’ll miss me!’ says Alessia.
Mum Danielle told us that her daughter wanted to go to university since she was 8 years old and hasn’t changed her mind since. With mum supporting Alessia through the last few months of college, Danielle is so proud that her daughter has got this far and now has the opportunity to fulfil her potential.
Many young Traveller women marry young and start a family. Although this is Alessia’s plan in the long run, at the moment her interests lie within her education and future career. She said her family have never expected her to get married and settle down, but rather to do whatever makes her happy. Alessia told us that several other Traveller girls she knows are also at college pursuing a career with no intention to start a family anytime soon.
Alessia is extremely excited to start the next chapter in her education. Despite leaving her home town, Alessia will have family members local to Leeds and will continue to be supported by the rest of her family. With two bright younger sisters growing up fast, hopefully they too will have the opportunity to follow in Alessia’s footsteps.
Alessia hopes to inspire other Travellers to realise their potential and chase their dreams with determination. Good luck Alessia from everyone here at Travellers’ Times!