Shining a Light on Exceptional Personal Growth

Celebrating Yenal Sanford’s inspirational journey and commitment to making a difference 

We’re delighted to shine the spotlight on Total People apprentice, Yenal Sanford, who has been recognised with a Personal Development Award for his outstanding commitment to growth, compassion and community impact. 

As a member of the Human Resources team at Enchanted Wood Pre-school, Yenal is known for his dedication, warmth and willingness to support others. However, this year, his achievements went far beyond the workplace. Driven by a deeply personal motivation, Yenal set himself an extraordinary challenge, one that demanded mental resilience, physical endurance and unwavering determination. 

A journey of purpose

Inspired by his niece, who lives with a rare retinal disease, Yenal decided to act in a truly remarkable way. He committed to completing a sponsored walk across the Sahara Desert, one of the world’s toughest environments, to raise money for Retina UK. 

The challenge required months of preparation, focus and discipline. Facing extreme conditions, long distances and intense heat, Yenal pushed through to complete the trek demonstrating the power of personal motivation and the impact of channelling adversity into purpose.

Making a difference that lasts

Through his efforts, Yenal raised an impressive £25,000 to support Retina UK’s vital research and services. His accomplishment shows that personal growth can benefit both ourselves and others.
Yenal’s dedication reflects an inspiring blend of compassion, courage and commitment. His journey shows how setting a goal rooted in personal meaning can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

Yenal says:

I am really pleased that we not only managed to make a lot of money to help Retina UK continue to do the work they do and support the people and families who are affected by inherited sight loss, but we also had an amazing experience in the Sahara and met some truly inspirational people.

We walked with a number of partially sighted and blind people in challenging conditions. This is a charity close to our hearts, as my niece has been diagnosed with Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) – a rare inherited retinal disease that causes severe vision loss and eventually blindness. Retina UK has been amazing with the support they offered.

A well deserved recognition.

Yenal’s actions embody the spirit of personal development:

• Setting a challenging goal
• Preparing with intention
• Persevering through difficulty
• Using personal growth to uplift others.

Yenal’s journey serves as an inspiring reminder of how personal challenges can spark meaningful change not just for ourselves, but for our communities. His dedication and compassion make a lasting impact, showing that growth and purpose go hand in hand.

If Yenal’s story has inspired you, think about joining the growing number of people who support apprentices on their personal development journeys as they progress through their apprenticeship programmes. 

By partnering with us, you can help apprentices grow both professionally and personally, making a real impact on their futures. If you’re interested in collaborating or learning more, visit our Employer Hub to explore partnership opportunities.

Congratulations again, Yenal, an inspiring accomplishment and a truly deserving winner of this award!