Glasgow businessman launches new charity in bid to offer young people better futures

The man who took Glasgow’s homeless off the streets a year ago is now launching his own charity to help provide a better future for young people across the country.

Glasgow businessman Barry Cushley is launching Quest For Success SCIO which will offer community apprenticeships and scholarships, training, education and potential career paths for young Scots in need.

Barry donated use of his Glassford Street building to Homeless Project Scotland a year ago - they continue to run their 24-hour emergency shelter, assistance hub and soup kitchen there.

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The success of the relationship with Homeless Project Scotland has inspired Barry to set up a new organisation, which has been approved by the charity licensing body OSCR, to give second chances and better futures to young people.

Barry said: “It’s been illuminating working with Colin and his team at Homeless Project Scotland – seeing up close the amazing things they do 24 hours a day couldn’t fail to inspire anyone.

“That was the spark which has led to Quest For Success – seeing Colin’s drive and determination and realising I need to do more. We all do.

“Our work with HPS continues of course, but I wanted to look at ways to offer a better life or a second chance to kids who come from the wrong area, have fallen into the wrong crowd, messed up at school or in life.

“Often it’s none of those things, they maybe just don’t have the money or connections to see a path to university, a trade, a career. A future.

“Quest For Success is for those kids. Using the network I’ve built up over the years, we will set up apprenticeship positions with trusted partners and place young people in roles that give them training, life and work skills, self-respect, a wage and a pathway to a career and future.”

Barry had the idea in mind for some time and wanted to see if it would work – he self-funded a pilot apprenticeship with his own company Quintessential Offices.

Rhys McLaughlin, 21, has been working and learning with Barry’s team since April, and is endorsing Barry’s belief that many kids just need that 'chance'.

Rhys says the pilot programme has changed his life during a difficult time – he’s now happy, confident and is planning to start his very own business in the future, using connections and skills he is learning with Barry and the Quintessential team.

Rhys said: “I started working here in April when I was struggling a wee bit, I had maybe lost my way in life.

“I had wee things here and there but nothing secure, there was no real future or plan there for me that I could see.

“This apprenticeship with Barry has given me that bit of security so now I feel comfortable with my situation and my place in the world.

“I have the confidence now to plan goals - I want to eventually start my own business, doing something like the work I am doing here.

“But I am thinking maybe I will bring in specialists from other places and trades sub-contracted to me, so I can offer more services. This is the kind of thing I am learning every day, I never would have thought about this stuff or that I could do it for myself.

“The goal is really to pay my own wages one day – that’s what I have learned from Barry and his amazing team. They have helped me feel like I can do that.”

Candidates will be referred by other charities and agencies for places at Quest For Success - just as Rhys was.

Barry said: “Rhys is a star. I knew he had something special when we met through another charity, who had mentioned this lad who was looking for a job or opportunity.

“He really impressed me, he was keen to work but no one would give him the opportunity.

“I offered him a position there and then and went away to figure it all out afterwards. He has been great, he really takes pride in his work and he loves being part of the team – and we love having him.

“He saw that chance he was given and he grabbed it with both hands – just like other young people will.

“Rhys has proved the concept works and inspired us to go for it, so Quest For Success will work to create such opportunities for other young Scots thanks to his dedication.”

Barry’s company Quintessential buy and redevelop old buildings, helping regenerate the city centre and turning decaying eyesores into beautiful modern shared office spaces.

Rhys has become a key part of the team, working across the various sites with the maintenance team.

Rhys said: “I work on general maintenance, things like small paint touch-ups, areas of joinery work, plumbing, carpentry, building - a bit of everything really.

“I really enjoy it and I’m very grateful to have the chance to work here and feel like I am part of something and achieving every day. I learn more every single day here.

“Barry is great and the whole team are fantastic people, every day brings a different thing and I learn a lot more in here than I ever have before. I feel like I really fit in.”

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Rhys admits he is proud of what he has been able to achieve in seizing this chance and achieving a big personal goal – and believes other young people should embrace opportunities like this.

Rhys said: “For the first time in the five years I have been with my girlfriend, I am able to take her on holiday and that feels really good. I have a steady income and solid job now so everything is better – I’m much more comfortable and less stressed.

“I suppose I am proud. I’m so, so happy with how I am getting on here – I feel like I pick things up quickly and have a great relationship with everyone. I couldn’t ask for any more.

“If you are stuck on your luck or things need a change in your life, you just need something good going for you, that’s where I was.

“Getting this position was a brilliant opportunity for me and these apprenticeships will be amazing for other people too, because with Barry there’s a business and a guy anyone can learn a lot from.

“I think Quest For Success is a great thing.”

More can be found at questforsuccess.co.uk.

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