Transforming young lives
The Prince's Trust was founded in 1976, when His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales used his Navy severance pay – £7,400 – to fund a number of community initiatives. Over more than 40 years, The Prince's Trust has helped change the lives of hundreds of thousands of disadvantaged young people across the UK. It supports unemployed young people, those struggling at school and at risk of exclusion, those in or leaving care, and young people who have been in trouble with the law. Today, three in four young people supported by The Trust move into work, education or training.
Thousands learn the hard way – can you see their potential? (Prince's Trust TV advert)The Prince's Trust
HRH The Prince of Wales attends an event in Wales celebrating the Enterprise Programme (11th December, 2017)The Prince's Trust
"Over the last forty years, the work of my Trust has shown it is within our power to transform young lives for the better.
I feel enormously proud that three in four young people move into work, education or training after receiving support from my Trust, and hundreds of thousands of young people have been helped since its humble beginnings back in 1976."
- His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, President of The Prince's Trust, speaking as The Trust celebrated its 40th birthday in 2016.
Highlights of The Prince's Trust and TK Maxx & Homesense Awards 2018The Prince's Trust
Prince's Trust programmes
The Prince's Trust runs a range of programmes: Mosaic mentoring, to improve employability; Achieve, to help young people explore their potential; Get Started, to discover new talents; Team, to boost confidence; Get into, to help young people gain valuable work experience; Enterprise, to provide support for starting a business; Fairbridge, to offer opportunities for trying something new; and the Enterprise Challenge, to develop skills. Young people can also apply for funding to train and learn.
Prince's Trust Advertisement - FootstepsThe Prince's Trust
Transformation through Enterprise
The Enterprise programme from The Prince's Trust helps 18 to 30 year olds turn their big ideas into business reality, through loan support and mentoring. It has supported more than 80,000 young people to become their own boss since 1983.
Abiola Sanusi - Prince's Trust supported young personThe Prince's Trust
Abiola's story
Footballer Abiola was born in Nigeria but grew up in Dublin, where he played for Irish Premier Division side Shamrock Rovers. He also spent some time in America playing for Miami Dade FC and it was his experience there that led him to think about becoming more than just a player, and the idea behind his sports service and education company Lola Sports.
Going into its third year, Lola Sports is going from strength to strength, expanding and putting on more showcases, and Abiola urges fellow entrepreneurs to get in touch with The Prince’s Trust.
"I would say, close your eyes and just go for it, because what have you got to lose? It’ll definitely take you along the right path."
Tomorrow's TalentThe Prince's Trust
Launched in 2016, the Tomorrow’s Talent competition gave young people the fantastic opportunity to respond to real design briefs from leading high street retailers.
The products were sold to raise vital funds for The Prince’s Trust, helping them to continue supporting young people to fulfil their potential.
The Prince's Trust Tomorrow's Store opening with HRH The Prince of WalesThe Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust's Tomorrow’s Store was based at Prince’s Trust House near Liverpool Street from September 2013 until December 2017.
The retail space was a place where young entrepreneurs from the Enterprise programme could showcase their products and gain first-hand experience in a retail environment. A rotation of monthly themed pop-ups ensured the store always felt fresh and vibrant.
After more than four successful years of trading, the decision was taken to transition the store to an online retail platform where more young businesses could be supported and promoted. Via this exciting and accessible marketplace, we have already been able to support many more young people and continue to do so.
Gina Moffatt - Prince's Trust supported young personThe Prince's Trust
Gina's story
Gina spent time in prison but while inside she signed up to complete a qualification in floristry because she knew it would improve life for her and her two daughters.
Upon release she joined The Trust’s Enterprise programme and set up her flower business: Blooming Scent. She has since grown her business from a florist and small café into a catering business and regularly supports Prince’s Trust events.
She featured on The Prince’s Trust 40th anniversary documentary on ITV in early 2016.
Youth Can Do It (Prince’s Trust TV advert)The Prince's Trust
Scott Heffernan - Enterprise Award Winner Regional Prince's Trust Awards North West 2018.The Prince's Trust
Scott's story
Scott from Burnley became mute after leaving secondary school. He couldn’t talk to anyone and refused to leave the house. Taking part in the Enterprise programme gave him the tools he needed to start his tattoo parlour business.
"Having The Prince's Trust believe that I could make it as a tattoo artist was a turning point for me. I’ve now got a healthy business and client base, I’m expanding into permanent make-up tattoos, and I’ve even started mentoring a young tattooist on behalf of The Trust."
Scott won the Enterprise award at the North West Regional Prince's Trust Awards 2018.
Transformation through the Arts
The Get Started programme offers young people short courses, run by professional tutors, in music, sports, and creative arts. Prince's Trust Celebrity Ambassador, Tom Fletcher from McFly, joined 12 young people at the Get Started with Music course, delivered by Battersea Arts Centre.
Singing through self-doubt: how young people are empowering themselves through musicThe Prince's Trust
Transformation through training and investment
A Get Started with Stewarding course, with Southampton FC, gave Michelle Brown a positive outlet that took her away from the pattern of antisocial behaviour she’d fallen into. She was named Prince’s Trust Breakthrough Award winner at the Prince’s Trust Awards in 2017.
Naadirah Khalifa - Prince's Trust supported young personThe Prince's Trust
Naadirah's story
Before discovering The Prince’s Trust, Naadirah Khalifa was in long-term unemployment and finding it hard to look to the future.
After completing an employment course, she’s now back on track.
"The Prince’s Trust helped me find who I am as a person."
Dynamo explains how The Prince's Trust helped himThe Prince's Trust
Award-winning magician Dynamo explains how The Prince's Trust helped turn his life around, through a loan that funded his first camcorder.
Jack Lucus - Breakthrough Award Winner, Prince's Trust Awards 2017The Prince's Trust
Jack's story
Jack Lucas won the Breakthrough Award at the National Prince's Trust Awards in 2018.
He said: "The Prince’s Trust put their neck out for me and made me believe in myself, and I’m now making my life a success by helping others. Winning this award gives me a massive sense of achievement, and I couldn’t be more grateful."
The Prince's Trust Team programmeThe Prince's Trust
Transformation through personal development
Laine Esperanzate - Prince's Trust supported young personThe Prince's Trust
Laine's story
Laine Esperanzate felt out of place and as though she didn’t belong in this world. She turned to The Prince's Trust Team programme to seek purpose in her life.
"Joining The Prince’s Trust was honestly one of the best things I’ve ever done and I’m now a different person. The support I’ve had has given me a positive outlook on life, I’ve developed strong relationships and found the confidence to look and be the way I want to be."
Idris Elba meets DanteThe Prince's Trust
Dante's story
Like Laine, Dante was also supported by The Prince's Trust's Team programme.
The 12-week personal development course gives unemployed young people the practical skills and on-the-job training to get into work, get involved in community projects, and a residential week away.
Here he meets Prince's Trust ambassador Idris Elba, who was himself supported by The Trust as a young person.
Daisy McDonnell - Young Achiever Award Winner, Prince's Trust Awards 2017The Prince's Trust
Daisy's story
Daisy McDonnell won the Young Achiever of the Year Award at the National Prince's Trust Awards in March 2018, after completing the Trust programme.
"After the death of a very close friend I sought help. I enrolled on The Prince’s Trust Team programme – a 12-week course that builds the confidence and employability skills of unemployed young people," she says.
"Team became the one constant I could look forward to. And I did. Every single day."
Katy Glendening - Young Ambassador Award Winner Regional Prince's Trust Awards South West 2018The Prince's Trust
Katy's story
Katy's anxiety, OCD and depression were becoming debilitating. She lost her job and confidence but found her way after taking part in Team. She's now dedicated to helping young people with mental health issues through her roles as a volunteer youth worker, a member of Jersey's youth committee and volunteer at Mind Jersey.
"The Prince’s Trust is one of few places that believes in helping young people like myself to achieve their potential without judging them on their background, situation or illness. I became a Young Ambassador because I wanted to spread the word about them."
Katy won the Young Ambassador Award at the Regional Prince's Trust Awards South West 2018.
