Tides of change: Daniel’s journey to success with Stena Line through Northern Trust’s Day Opportunities

Daniel Hunter at work with Stena Line

The journey towards a job you love is not always smooth sailing – but with the right direction and support, it’s possible to reach your destination.

That’s exactly what happened for Daniel Hunter from Carrickfergus, who has proudly worked with Stena Line since 2022 after years of determination and perseverance.

Daniel’s story began over a decade ago when he was first referred to the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s Day Opportunities programme, designed to support people in developing skills, gaining experience and finding employment that suits their ambitions.

After leaving school, Daniel tried several training schemes through employment agencies with the goal of finding a job. When those didn’t lead to success, he recognised that he needed extra guidance.

Explaining more, Allen Rankin, Day Opportunities Coordinator, said:

“Daniel and myself worked very closely together to identify his goals which were squarely focused on employment and ideally within the travel and tourism industry.

“Daniel was referred to Mencap’s Supported Employment Service which really helped him to expand his training, build a CV and develop his interview skills, giving him access to the right guidance to get him to where he wanted to go.”

Building skills and confidence

Gaining meaningful work experience became a key step in Daniel’s journey. He secured a placement at Centra, where he handled stock deliveries, replenished shelves, and assisted customers – experiences that boosted his confidence and employability.

With Allen’s support, Daniel also completed accredited training through Northern Regional College in Newtownabbey, enhancing his numeracy and literacy. He went on to achieve qualifications in the application of numbers and communication.

Armed with his new skills, Daniel worked alongside Ailish Murphy, Supported Employment Officer at Mencap, to fine-tune his CV, apply for jobs and prepare for interviews.

Allen said:

“Daniel knew what he wanted to achieve and he was prepared to put the work in to get there. We were all delighted to see his efforts pay off when he secured a job with Stena Line working on board the Belfast to Cairnryan route.”

A bright future at Stena Line

Working a challenging rota of seven days on and seven days off the ship, Daniel thrived in the fast-paced ferry environment. His enthusiasm and eagerness to learn new skills stood out from the start.

Recently, he transitioned to a shore-based position with Stena Line, joining the freight check-in department as a full-time customer service agent – a role that demands professionalism, teamwork and attention to detail.

With his friendly personality and strong focus on customer care, Daniel has become a valued part of the Stena Line team. He’s even had the chance to meet a few famous faces along the way – including Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi.

Celebrating 20 years of Day Opportunities

As the Northern Health and Social Care Trust celebrates 20 years of its Day Opportunities service, Daniel’s success story forms part of its “Opportunities For All” series – showcasing individuals who have achieved personal growth, independence and meaningful employment with the Trust’s support.

To read more inspiring stories from the series, visit: www.northerntrust.hscni.net/opportunities-for-all