Changing the lives of 2000 young people in the UK

Tom, aged 20, embarked on his entrepreneurial journey with our Enterprise programme and a result has set up a local store called Props Skate Store - which has now become a social hub for young people in the community. 

Tom had lost all hope of finding work before receiving support from The Prince’s Trust. After facing unemployment for more than a year, he felt depressed about his future.

Tom had no choice but to live at home with his parents during his struggle to find work. The family pulled together to support him, but he struggled to make ends meet whilst on Job Seekers Allowance. After a long period on benefits, Tom heard about The Prince's Trust and things began to look up.

“I grew up in a deprived area and there seemed to be no jobs available. I was stuck in a rut for a long time and felt like giving up. So many young people were in the same boat as me, and spend their time hanging around down at the park. It was soul-destroying.”

He had always been a keen skater but had not thought about how he could turn his passion into a business. After going on our Enterprise programme, he felt confident about his future for the first time.

Tom's shop is already going from strength to strength – and is now a hub for young people in the local community. Earlier this year Tom won a local business award for his outstanding achievements. In the future, he hopes to set up events for local skaters as well as opening a bigger store.

“The Prince’s Trust’s support has been completely life-changing. Without them, I would still be unemployed and struggling to get by. Instead, I am my own boss and doing what I love. I am proud that I am bringing people into Rotherham and putting something back into the community. It’s an amazing feeling.”

Living like a prisoner in her own flat, Natalie faced verbal abuse, bullying at school, and had been the main carer for her mum, who had a physical disability and mental health issues, since she was 12.

Feeling unable to leave her mum, Natalie attended just two years secondary education and eventually became depressed.

Natalie says: "I was unemployed for five years. I had no aspirations and goals for myself, only for my mum. I always said all I wanted was a garden and a safe place for my mum to live."

A young carers' group provide Natalie with a lifeline. She shared her experiences and feelings of isolation and was referred to Fairbridge, a Prince's Trust programme that gives disadvantaged young people the tools they need to change their lives for the better.

 Supported by Fairbridge staff, Natalie drew up a list of priorities that would help her turn her situation around and, one-by-one, she began working her way through them. It resulted in her finding more suitable housing for her mum, attending one-to-one sessions to rebuild her confidence, and developing a new set of friends.

When Fairbridge ended, Natalie took part in Get Started with Art, another Prince's Trust programme that helps build confidence and develop skills. It saw her learn to let go and allow Social Services to provide more care for her mum. it also uncovered Natalie's flair for art. She then enrolled on The Prince's Trust Enterprise programme, which helps unemployed young people start up in business, and set up A Paper Crafted Dream, which offers bespoke glass etchings, vinyls and papercuts.

Natalie says: "I can't believe how different my life is. The Prince's Trust has helped me take control of my life and now that my mum's in good hands, I feel like I can do my own thing and be happy."