Carol-Ann enjoys poster girl status

A YOUNG Dunamanagh woman says she was shocked and amazed to become the face of a new public campaign from council.

Carol-Ann Mullen (22) was chosen as one of the poster girls for Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Strategic Growth Plan’s Statement of Progress – Making it Happen.

Including billboards, advertisements in buses, placards and even an online video, Carol-Ann’s image has been featuring around the district for the past month.

“It was such a shock,” she laughed. “There was one at the Head of the Town. I didn’t even know it was up. I had a few family members ringing to say my face was on a billboard. When I drove up I thought, ‘Oh, my God, it’s massive.’

“It’s weird. I haven’t looked at the posters that much. I got loads of feedback through social media. I was a bit embarrassed… it’s an overwhelming feeling – an amazing feeling.

“This last while I feel as though I’m achieving so much and I’m getting a bit closer to where I want to be.”

The local lady credits Strabane Access Youth Engagement (AYE) project and Youth 19 for helping grow her confidence and provide new opportunities. Carol-Ann organised the Gig at the Pig last year at the Alley Theatre, at which she also performed and her aim is to making a career out of her music.

Speaking on the video posted to social media describing her experience with Youth 19, she stated, “I think one of the main challenges becoming more and more common in young people is mental health. I’ve been really trying to take control and understand my own mental health issues.

“Getting involved with Strabane AYE and Youth 19 programme, really has made a change for me. I organised the gig with the help of the Pulse Centre.

“Music and singing is something I would love to do as a career and it has definitely given me that wee bit more confidence to get somewhere with my singing.”

Council’s Strategic Growth Plan was published in November 2017 and sets out the programme of work the statutory and support partners are taking forward to “improve the social, economic and well-being” across the district.