Spotlight on Talent : Scott Yarrington

Over the last decade, Scott Yarrington has reinvented himself.

Since his career in the army was cut short following an accident, he has become involved with charities for former veterans.  He is also training to be an accountant.

This comes ten years after the former lance corporal lost his legs stepping on an improvised explosive device in northern Helmand province, Afghanistan.

He spent two and half years of rehabilitation, before learning to walk with prosthetic limbs.

Education has become a priority for Scott.  He left school at 16 with low literacy levels.

After speaking to a Connecting Communities project mentor, he is now making every effort to improve his English and maths skills with a view towards studying accounting at degree level.  He achieved a Level 1 Bookkeeping qualification in summer 2020.

“I didn’t really engage with my studies at school,” said Scott.  “If I could go back in time to speak to my teenage self, my advice would probably be to knuckle down with the English and maths.”

During his army career, he participated in many professional development initiatives.  These include IT training, leadership training as well as an online course in property letting.

Nevertheless, he did need a little time to adjust to being back in an actual education environment, around lots of other learners.

“People tell me how amazed they are by everything I’ve overcome and what I’ve since achieved.” says Scott.   “I’m a full-time prosthetic user.  And I got married and have a happy home life with my wife and son.”

Since December 2019, Scott has also been involved with Blesma; a charity for limbless veterans.

Their Making Generation R (resilience) programme enables Blesma members to host workshops in schools, community groups and workplaces.  Here they share their stories and help young people tackle issues around bullying, exam stress and mental health.

“I knew I didn’t just want a job, but a career too,” said Scott.  “Public speaking, combined with an accountancy role will give me this.  And the student journey that takes me there will also have its own rewards.”