Since 1976 the Prince’s Trust has been helping disadvantaged young people to find work, giving them the skills and self-confidence to overcome adversities and realise their potential. The charity works with 13 to 30-year-olds who have struggled in school, been in care, suffered from long-term unemployment, or perhaps been in trouble with the law.
The support of the Prince’s Trust can give young people who’ve not had the best start in life a chance to build a future for themselves, and sometimes this opportunity uncovers a hidden talent for business or creativity that can lead to a new generation of entrepreneurs.
This year’s Prince’s Trust Awards rewarded the success of some fantastic new small businesses set up by young people with help from the charity. Here are some of the companies from around the UK featured in this year’s awards:
24-year-old Jasmine Hetherington-Wilkes struggled for years with unemployment and crippling low self-esteem, but always dreamed of setting up video production company. With the help of the Prince’s Trust Jasmine was able to set up Beko Creative, an award-winning company now boasting a prestigious list of clients including Coca-Cola, Cisco, and Nespresso.
Vanessa Good, 26, wanted to use her knowledge and skills in marketing to start a business, so she approached the Prince’s Trust with her idea, and was able to set up a travel agency in Ayrshire. After a lot of hard work and determination her business is now going from strength to strength, recently purchasing three foreign exchange outlets.
After a difficult series of emotional traumas and personal setbacks, Jemma Cooper was determined to get her beauty business idea off the ground. After being refused support from elsewhere, Jemma approached the Prince’s Trust for help. Now 25, Jemma’s HI Therapies salon has won two awards, and she is looking to expand her business with new and exciting ventures.
Chris Mullins suffered for years with personal troubles, causing him to fall into a deep depression, derailing his studies and making him to lose hope for any kind of future. After gaining skills in spa treatments while living abroad, Chris returned to the UK needing to make a life for himself. After taking part in the Prince’s Trust Enterprise programme Chris was able to open a male grooming salon, which is now thriving thanks to his efforts.
This year sees the Prince’s Trust Celebrate Success awards in their 10th year, while Prince Charles himself celebrates his 65th birthday. Writing in the Mirror, Prince Charles expressed his joy at the success of his charity:
“Recognising the achievements of young people who have triumphed over adversity is very important to my Trust and is why our annual Celebrate Success Awards, supported again this year by Samsung, is such a key date in our calendar.
“This year is rather special as it marks the 10th anniversary of The Prince’s Trust Celebrate Success Awards. Around 5,500 young people have been honoured for transforming their lives over the past decade and every year I am filled with an enormous sense of pride at just how far they have come.”
If you want more information about the work of the Prince’s Trust, or think you might be eligible for the support they offer, you can find out more on their website here.
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