Ellen showing signs as future leader after trip in US

Ellen showing signs as future leader after trip in US

4 October 2023

A DOWNPATRICK teenager is already showing the hallmarks of being an inspiring future leader.

Ellen Taylor showcased her leadership qualities during a two-week visit to New Hampshire in the 

United States with Friends Forever International (FFI).

FFI started as a youth programme, but now focuses on developing passionate, skilled and empathetic leaders of the future, who will solve the challenges facing their communities. 

FFI established its roots in Northern Ireland in 1986 and has expanded its mission to foster unity in the midst of continuing change in society.

FFI’s Northern Ireland campus is in Annalong and stands as a testament to its commitment to nurturing leadership across borders. 

Seventeen year-old Ellen is a Year 14 student at Down High School and is passionate about making a difference.

She is chairperson of the Newry, Mourne and Down Youth Council and president of the Secondary Students’ Union of Northern Ireland.

Ellen reflected fondly on her experiences on the other side of the Atlantic and the invaluable life skills she learned.

“It was a long application process, but I thought the chance to to go to America and develop my leadership skills was a really unique opportunity and something I really wanted to do,” she said.

“The programme encompassed everything to do with leadership and was tailored individually to everyone in the team. 

“While we were there, we did a wide range of activities, like volunteering at foodbanks, bowling with people with learning disabilities, paddle-boarding and much more.”

The core values of FFI are RECIPE (resilience, empathy, communication, impact, play and effort).

“Everything we participated in was brought back to those core values – even for my own personal goals,” Ellen continued.

“My personal goals was to focus on individual leadership, so I made sure that everyone in our group was involved in the activities and encouraged people to speak up and make sure that everyone was heard.

“We had alumni leaders, who had been on the same trip as us in previous years give us advice – they gave me general tips on how to lead and they were very supportive.”

During her stay in America, Ellen and her fellow group members had no access to their phones, or any technology. They also had to adhere to a plant-based diet.

“Having no phone was something I didn’t expect to enjoy, but it allowed everyone to get to know each other because we had no distractions,” Ellen recalled.

“None of us found we were wasting any time by just staring at our phones, so it meant we were always proactive and sociable.”

On the dietary requirements Ellen admitted she found it “quite tough”.

She explained: “The reason a vegan diet is provided, is because there are people from different culture all participating, and a vegan diet caters to all of these cultures.

“It meant that nobody was excluded but it also meant that it was a challenge for some of us and that we had something in common.

“I’ll eat anything, but after two weeks of just plant-based food you do miss meat, milk and cheese,” she jested.

During her stay, Ellen and her colleagues had to speak in public on a topic of their choosing.

“My speech focused on judgement,” she said.  “It was just to let people know that it is OK to be themselves and it doesn’t matter what people think of you. And similarly, the importance of not judging others.”

Ellen gave her speech three times — once in Boston, and twice in New Hampshire.

On returning to Northern Ireland, arrangements were made with the FFI’s Annalong campus for Ellen to host her new friends at her home in Downpatrick. Visitors from eight different countries, who are part of FFI Global Youth, came to stay.

“I had to beg my parents for it to happen,” she said. “It was a lot to ask of them, but they could see how much it meant to me. We had about 25 people staying at our home, which was a lot, but it was worth it. It was so lovely seeing everyone again.”

Ellen’s focus is now completing a social action project with FFI, which will be of her own choosing.

She intends to focus her social project on the integration of refugees living in Downpatrick through a ‘Welcome Wednesdays’ initiative.

“I feel like there is not enough effort to integrate or make refugees feel included in the community,” she said. “The Downpatrick area is very rural, so there is limited opportunity for refugees to get to know people.”

Asked what inspired her idea, Ellen explained: “I remember in the spring there was racist graffiti sprayed in the town and in the vicinity of refugee families.

“These families have young children – I know it’s still dreadful in any scenario, but the fact that young children are being exposed to this kind of hate and vitriol is just disgraceful.

“I’m still organising this project, but it would be nice to play some role in integrating people into the community – I have always had a passion fro helping others and giving back into the community which is why I got involved in the Newry, Mourne and Down Youth Council.”

Ellen also spoke about her future aspirations with FFI.

“I absolutely loved my time in New Hampshire and would consider becoming an alumni leader for next year’s trip so I can help other future leaders, the same way as I was helped.

“You learn so much about yourself and it is a great organisation that you will always be a part of.

“I have gained brilliant new friends and I’ve learnt that the impact of being kind and engaged with people you meet can really make a difference to someone’s day.”

She added: “I’d encourage anyone who has the opportunity to apply for Friends Forever International.

“The trip to America is free, which removes barriers for lower income families, and you will have an amazing experience that you will never forget.”